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Sports

Habs try to avoid home-and-home sweep vs. Sabres

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to avoid only their second three-game losing streak of the season Saturday when they host the Buffalo Sabres in the finale of a home-and-home series.

Montreal was well rested for Friday's opener in Buffalo, having had four days of rest after losing 5-0 to the New York Rangers on Sunday. However, the Sabres were able to halt a six-game slide against the Canadiens by posting a 2-1 regulation victory at First Niagara Centre.

Matt Moulson played the hero for Buffalo, scoring the game-winning goal with 1:18 left in the third period. It was the fourth goal of the season for Moulson and his first game-winning tally.

Montreal tied the game at 1-1 early in the third, but Buffalo was able to go on top thanks to a fortunate bounce while on a power play. Tyler Ennis had dumped the puck into the Montreal end off the glass and Habs goaltender Carey Price went behind the net to play it. However, it hit off a stanchion and bounced out front where Moulson had an open net for the game-winner.

"He had a number of chances to score throughout the game," Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. "For him to get two or three chances and to get one like that was probably fitting."

Ennis had the other goal for the Sabres and Jhonas Enroth made 30 saves for the win. It was the fourth victory in the last five games for Buffalo, which is suddenly surging after beginning 2014-15 with a dreadful 3-13-2 record.

P.A. Parenteau had the only goal for the Canadiens, who fell for the third time in five games. Price allowed both goals on 25 shots.

"I think there are some good things to build off of," Montreal's Max Pacioretty said. "We have to do a better job of finding ways to score goals."

The Canadiens, who lead the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference with 33 points, have managed only a total of three goals over the last three games.

Montreal's only three-game slide this season came during an 0-2-1 stretch from Oct. 30-Nov. 4.

Friday's setback was the Habs' first loss against Buffalo since a 2-1 defeat in Montreal on March 23, 2013. The Habs have claimed two straight encounters at the Bell Centre and are 3-1-1 in their last five home tilts versus Buffalo.