BUF@MTL: Game recap

MONTREAL – The Canadiens returned to the Bell Centre for their first home game of 2024 and lost 6-1 to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.

During warmups, the NHL announced that captain Nick Suzuki would be among the first 16 players selected from the Eastern Conference for the 2024 NHL All-Star Game. It’s Suzuki’s third straight appearance at the annual event.

Prior to the game, the team honored forward Josh Anderson as the Molson Cup winner for the month of December.

For the game, with the news that Christian Dvorak is out for the remainder of the season, head coach Martin St-Louis iced the same lineup he’s used the previous two contests, meaning the Habs rolled with seven defensemen and 11 forwards. Jake Allen got the start in goal. 

For game stats, check out the NHL Gamecenter summaryhere.

Roster

Montreal goals

P2 13:19 2-[1] Armia – SHG

Buffalo goals

P2 05:33 [1]-0 Mittelstadt (Skinner, Dahlin) – PPG

P2 06:59 [2]-0 Skinner (Tuch, Thompson) – PPG

P3 06:45 [3]-1 Quinn (Peterka, Clifton)

P3 08:35 [4]-1 Thompson (Skinner, Tuch)

P3 14:31 [5]-1 Dahlin (Mittelstadt) – E.N.

P3 18:32 [6]-1 Thompson (Skinner, Quinn)

What’s next

Five of the Canadiens’ six upcoming games take place at home, with the New York Rangers next to roll into town for an Original Six showdown on Saturday night at the Bell Centre. For tickets to that game, click here.