Sabers vs. Canadiens | Watching guide, plot and setup notes

Storylines

1. Stick to the process

The Sabres’ current three-game winning streak began after three straight losses. Each of these games was marked by a handful of costly errors that overshadowed otherwise strong performances.

“I think if we stick to our process and continue to tinker with those little details, we got those things sorted out and have looked like a really good hockey team the last three games,” Malenstyn said.

“We made it seem like we really connected, really quickly. We don’t spend a lot of time in our D-zone, we play the transition game, we hold onto pucks in the offensive zone and put pressure on them. So I think it’s just the culmination of all that.”

The recipe for success was finding a balance between aggressive play and a determination to stay defensively over the puck – in other words, having enough players available to counter rushes.

“I think the performance of this group as a whole, D and forwards, allows us to be both aggressive and get over the puck,” Malenstyn said. “You get stuck on the wrong side, then you give up odd-man rushes and good players play with time and space.

“I think for the most part we’ve done a really good job of being able to stay aggressive in pre-screening but also have the responsibility and the attitude of, ‘Okay, I’m just going to take my medication and come back here. “Get over the puck,” and then we can turn it around and go back on offense. So I think it’s a maturity thing and I think we’ve done a really good job lately.”

2. Success on special teams

The Sabers have scored at least one power play goal in six of their last seven games since October 26th. They have played 7 of 23 in this period, a success rate of 30.4 percent.

The penalty shootout was also an integral part of the current winning streak. The Sabers are 10 of 10 in their last three games, including a 4-for-3 kill in overtime that sent Saturday’s game into a shootout against Calgary.

Malenstyn, who has played more regularly in the penalty shootout, attributed the success to confidence and knowing the balance between patience and aggressiveness.

“It’s a simple recipe, but sometimes I think it’s difficult to implement,” he said. “You run at these guys too much, they have a lot of skill to make plays. But you also don’t want to just give them all the time and space in the world, because then they can do it.”

3. Scouting the Canadiens

The Canadiens are 0-5-1 in their last six games after losing 4-1 in Toronto on Saturday. They have allowed an average of 4.07 goals per game this season, the highest mark in the NHL.

Cole Caufield leads the Canadiens and is tied for fourth in the NHL with 10 goals. Brendan Gallagher enters Monday on a three-game goal streak, taking his tally for the season to seven.