Price returns with shutout for Canadiens against Sabres

MONTREAL --Carey Price was ready for his first game in more than three weeks.
Price made 36 saves to help the Montreal Canadiens end a five-game losing streak with a 3-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres at Bell Centre on Saturday.

WATCH: [All Sabres vs. Canadiens highlights]
"I felt prepared more than anything," said Price, who missed 10 games with a lower-body injury sustained Nov. 2. "I spent a lot of time thinking about today, and I'm just glad it all turned out well."
Price got his first shutout since Feb. 28 (26 starts), the 40th of his NHL career, after an apparent goal by Buffalo's Evander Kane with 33 seconds remaining in the third period was overturned after video review because of goaltender interference.
"I think they made the right call, but it was definitely a good feeling on the bench because he deserved that," Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher said. "He battled for us, and you didn't see too many second chances because he was controlling the rebounds well."
Jeff Petry, Alex Galchenyuk and Paul Byron scored for Montreal (9-12-3), which went 4-4-2 while Price was injured, including an 0-3-2 stretch heading into Saturday.

"I thought we played well," Price said. "We were obviously playing a team that was tired and we took advantage of our chances."
Robin Lehner made 23 saves in his fourth straight start for the Sabres (6-14-4). He made 29 saves Friday in a 3-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers that ended Buffalo's seven-game losing streak (0-5-2).
"I thought the last two games has been some of our best hockey," Sabres coach Phil Housley said. "Tonight, we didn't get rewarded. I know the bottom line is winning. We ran into a hot goaltender who came back, made some terrific saves, and if there's one thing, we could have tried to get to him earlier, but I can't fault the effort. You can say what you want to say, but if we continue to play this way moving forward, we're going to get a lot more wins."

Petry gave Montreal a 1-0 lead on the power play at 12:54 of the first period. Jonathan Drouin got the first of his two assists when he set up Petry's one-timer from the left point, which struck Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen's stick.

Galchenyuk made it 2-0 at 13:58 of the second period when he scored on a rebound of Byron's shot off Lehner's right pad on a 2-on-1.
Byron scored a shorthanded goal on a breakaway at 8:27 of the third period to make it 3-0.
"I've missed a couple and with the time of the game and the moment, it was kind of a big goal, so it felt good," Byron said.

Goal of the game

Galchenyuk's goal at 13:58 of the second period.

Save of the game

Price stopping Johan Larsson at 5:52 of the second period.

Highlight of the game

Byron's shorthanded goal at 8:27 of the third period.

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They said it

"We didn't work hard enough and bear down enough to beat [goalie Carey Price]. ... They capitalized on their few chances they had. I thought we were all over them, especially in the second and third period." -- Sabres forward Evander Kane
"He's one of the best players in the League, and to have a player like that is always a boost, not just on the ice, but in the locker room. He's so focused and calm, and it's great to see him back." -- Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk on Price

Need to know

The Sabres have scored 55 goals, the fewest in NHL, but Saturday was the first time they were shut out. ... Montreal is 5-1-1 against Atlantic Division teams, including three wins against Buffalo. ... Sabres forward Jacob Josefson did not play after the first period because of a lower-body injury.

What's next

Sabres: Host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; MSG-B, SUN, NHL.TV)
Canadiens: Host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday (7:30 p.m. ET; TSN2, RDS, FS-O, NHL.TV)