Buffalo Sabres Wiped Out In Montreal

It was a complete about-face from the last time they played in Montreal.  Just 10 days after the Buffalo Sabres stunned the Canadiens with an overtime victory, it was a different story on Tuesday night as the Sabres turned in one of their worst games in weeks giving up three goals in the second period in a 5-2 loss.

You can't blame goaltending in this one.  The Sabres just didn't have an answer for the speed of the Canadiens and it cost them.  Team captain Max Pacioretty led the Canadiens with a hat trick as the Canadiens built a 5-0 lead and cruised to an easy victory.

Meanwhile after enjoying some time off during the All-Star break a number of key Buffalo players seemed to be missing in action; Ryan O'Reilly, Kyle Okposo, Sam Reinhart.  There were long stretches were I wondered if they were even playing in the game.  Defenseman Dmitri Kulikov and Brian Gionta scored the Buffalo goals, but both came too late to make a difference.

And talk about a tough night.  Zach Bogosian, who scored the game winner against the Canadiens 10 days before, was on the ice for all five Montreal goals.  It was not a good showing.

The Sabres are back home Thursday night against the New York Rangers.