CANADIENS The Montreal Canadiens also began a back-to-back set on Saturday, though they returned from their All-Star Break earlier in the week with a win over Washington. Nick Suzuki scored two goals about a minute apart in the first period to lead the way to a 5-2 victory.
While the Blues were facing the Sabres on Saturday afternoon, the Canadiens had their own afternoon game at home against the Dallas Stars.
Despite being outshot 38-20, the Canadiens were able to keep pace with the Stars for most of the matchup, though ultimately fell 3-2. Suzuki and 2022 No. 1 overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky scored for Montreal, and all five of the game's goals came in the second period.
Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Mike Matheson lead the Canadiens in scoring this season, though they will have to weather the departure of Sean Monahan. On Feb. 2, the Canadiens traded Monahan - who had recorded 35 points in 49 games with Montreal - to the Winnipeg Jets for multiple draft picks.
Sunday afternoon's matchup with the Blues is Montreal's second of three straight home games before a one-game trip to Madison Square Garden next week.
The Canadiens host the Blues with a record of 21-22-8, worth 50 points and sixth in the Atlantic Division.