Tonight’s game took the energy out of the season starting real fast. It started with yet another injury to a difference maker on the roster. Evander Kane is the latest injured Sabre, who hit the boards hard from an awkward angle.
another angle of Evander Kane’s injury pic.twitter.com/6GWJ9MN4PK
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 14, 2016
The Sabres announced he’s been taken to the hospital for further evaluations and procautionary measures. Dan Bylsma had no update after the game.
As for the actual game, it didn’t go much better. Montreal rolled the Sabres, downing Buffalo 4-1 in both teams’ opener.
Brendan Gallagher scored his first of two goals on the night nine minutes into the game, beating Robin Lehner with a wrist shot from the top of the right circle. It’d be hard to put a majority of the blame on Lehner for the rest of the goals.
The second was scored by former Sabre Torrey Mitchell, who was left relatively unchecked right in front of the net by Matt Moulson. Cody Franson was nowhere near the play, skating into frame once Mitchell had already fired in the rebound off a Paul Byron shot..
Gallagher’s second goal was a redirect off of a Shea Weber shot. Gallagher was able to get his hands free after losing Ryan O’Reilly behind the net.
Andrew Shaw scored his first goal as a Hab in the third period, as he and Daniel Carr were allowed to repeatedly crash the net. His shot just crossed the line.
Speaking of crossing the line, Shaw was given a major penalty at the end of the game for this slew foot on Johan Larsson.
Andrew Shaw slew-footing Johan Larsson at the end of the game. Scum. pic.twitter.com/jFlZNhOGIe
— Austin (@AustinJankowiak) October 14, 2016
One of the few bright spots for Buffalo tonight was their lone goal, a Matt Moulson tally created by a great pass from Sam Reinhart. He was able to feed Moulson from behind the net despite being on the other side of it.
Buffalo begins its three-game west coast trip Sunday when the Sabres play the Edmonton Oilers. Although it’s safe to assume Kane will likely be out, the Sabres may get Kyle Okposo back from injury.