Victory for Cayden Primeau in Buffalo

No, tonight’s match between the Canadiens and Sabres was not in Montreal.

I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true… There were a lot of red jerseys.

Here’s the CH lineup:

Tonight’s lineup

Tonight’s lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/xlSxlKxLw7

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 10, 2023

And the home team’s:

No goals were scored in the first period, but obviously, the goalies were very good.

Cayden Primeau stopped 17 shots.

Strong start to the game for Cayden Primeau #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Po6H3VpGdU

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 10, 2023

The American also took a penalty.

The official at the other end missed it, that call…

Devon Levi, facing his childhood team for the first time in his career, stopped all seven pucks aimed at him.

He looked comfortable, too.

At the start of the second period, the Habs announced that Tanner Pearson had injured his upper body in the first period and would not be returning to action.

Another injury…

Towards the end of the engagement, when Justin Barron was vulnerable, Eric Robinson hit him with a very dangerous shot.

The result: Barron in the dressing room and Robinson out of the game.

The defender is back in the game, at least.

Shortly after this disturbing scene, Jayden Struble scored his first career NHL goal.

WELCOME TO THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE JAYDEN STRUBLE! pic.twitter.com/7V4pZSq3bs

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 10, 2023

Then, 14 seconds later, Nick Suzuki doubled his team’s lead.

Nick Suzuki decided it was time for another goal.

2-0 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/tbxLlHXRFL

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 10, 2023

In the third period, the Sabres closed the gap.

And guess who scored. That’s right, Jeff Skinner…

Tage Thompson Jeff Skinner #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/47LAFifV2O

– Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) December 10, 2023

And so it came to pass.

Kyle Okposo tied the game a few minutes later.

THAT’S POINT NUMBER 600 FOR KYLE OKPOSO! pic.twitter.com/tdp8O5aQAU

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 10, 2023

What a turnaround!

After Okposo’s goal, Martin St-Louis called a timeout.

The timeout likely whipped his team into a frenzy as they threatened. Cole Caufield thought he had scored a goal, but Levi pulled his leg.

Devon Levi robs Cole Caufield to keep the game tied at 2. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ct3yXXrh8p

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 10, 2023

No further goals were scored, so both teams had to settle this crazy game in a shootout. But before the game headed into overtime, Slafkovsky threw down the gloves on Connor Clifton.

The full Juraj Slafkovsky fight with Connor Clifton. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/0hKjPfk37s

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 10, 2023

Overtime was 4-on-4, as no whistle was blown after the Tricolore’s penalty.

Here’s a summary of the shootout:

Tage Thompson: STOP

Nick Suzuki: STOP

Victor Olofsson: GOAL

Cole Caufield: GOAL

Owen Power : GOAL

Jesse Ylonen: GOAL

JJ Peterka: STOP

Juraj Slafkovsky: GOAL (quite a goal)

Levi challenges Slafkovsky, and Slafkovsky takes advantage to score a very nice shootout goal.

He was pumped about that one. #GoHabsGo win in the shootout. pic.twitter.com/1yW3eMcgfZ

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 10, 2023

The celebration, the goal, the fight: Slaf made a spectacle of himself. Reminiscent of Michael Pezzetta’s celebration last season.

Final score: 4-3 Montreal.

Tomorrow, Martin St-Louis’s team hosts the Nashville Predators.

[spacer title=’Prolongation’

– Cole Caufield going after Tage Thompson (after Thompson went after Juraj Slafkovsky): I didn’t have that option on my bingo card.

Caufield going after Thompson after he hit Slafkovsky. pic.twitter.com/2S04JSfByp

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 10, 2023

– Caufield finished the game with nine shots on goal.

– Cayden Primeau played a full game. Jake Allen should be waived.

– We would have loved to have had Arber Xhekaj tonight…