Habs Highlights: Patrik Laine Hat Trick Powers Big Canadiens Win

The Montreal Canadiens hosted the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night, a match-up between two organizations that have produced underwhelming results in the last stretch.

That being said, there’s a significant difference between struggling in the first few years of a rebuild, compared to over 10 years of sadness, which is the current working title for any Sabres-related documentary.

ON TOPIC: Rebuild Lessons On Tap As Struggling Sabres Visit Montreal

The last game between the two featured 12 goals, with the Canadiens emerging with a 7-5 defence-optional win. This time around it was the Canadiens that did most of the scoring, which included sniper Patrik Laine’s first hat trick with his new team.

Montreal closed out the game with a one-sided 6-1 win, and there’s a lot to discuss, so let’s dive into the highlights!

Right Foot

It only took the Canadiens 19 seconds to open the scoring, and with all due respect to Joel Armia, it wasn’t exactly a masterclass of defending from the lowly Sabres. With that being said, full marks to Armia, Jake Evans, and Emil Heineman for their great start, which put the momentum firmly in Montreal’s corner.

And while Armia’s fifth goal of the year set the tone for the first period, things could have been much worse for the Sabres, as both Patrik Laine and Josh Anderson came within millimetres of scoring, with both players hitting iron in the first five minutes of the game.

Départ de feu!!

That was fast!!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/PKxO5GRpxn

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 18, 2024

Follow Up

Scoring early is great, but heading to the locker room with just a 1-0 lead after a dominant period tends to backfire in the NHL, seeing as the opposing team is just one shot away from tying the game at any moment.

Fortunately for the Habs, they were rewarded for their strong play when Laine once again fooled Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, but unlike his scoring chance a few minutes earlier, he was not denied by the post.

Again, I don’t want to take anything away from Laine, or Nick Suzuki, who made a great pass while being covered by every Sabres’ skater, but leaving a sniper unattended in his sweet spot during a penalty kill is a recipe for disaster.

I understand why the Sabres were paying close attention to Suzuki. It’s a smart strategy, Suzuki is almost always the best skater, but giving Laine enough time to file his taxes before he took the shot was probably not ideal.

Suzuki still made the pass while covered by 4 guys. pic.twitter.com/t1KGgTyOBx

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 18, 2024

Buffalo is a mess on all fronts, and the Habs took advantage of their plight on Tuesday night.

This one will count. Patirk Laine’s fourth PP goal of the year gives the Habs a 2-0 lead over the Sabres early in the first period.

It could be worse for the Sabres, as both Laine and Anderson hit the post earlier in the period.

Buffalo is yet to record a shot on net.… pic.twitter.com/znx3kHbZth

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 18, 2024

Avoiding A Visit With The Dach-tor

The Canadiens had an injury scare when forward Kirby Dach was forced to return to the locker room after an interference penalty by Mattias Samuelsson, who actually had the gall to complain about the clear-cut infraction. Dach initially stayed on the bench, but finally made his way to the infirmary in the dying minutes of the frame. It could have been due to the spotter asking for a concussion test, as Dach’s head did slam on the ice as he fell.

The good news is that Dach was back on the bench to start the second period.

I’m not sure why Samuelsson was complaining because this is textbook interference. Dach seemed to be okay after a little while.

Update: Dach left the bench, may have been pulled by a spotter. pic.twitter.com/c70BHCs209

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 18, 2024

Stumbling

While the Canadiens were fantastic in the first period, they let their foot off the gas to start the second period, which led to Dylan Cozens’ seventh goal of the year via an excellent release that featured top-notch accuracy.

Absolute laser of a shot by Dylan Cozens, who cuts the Canadiens’ lead to just one. pic.twitter.com/kK0ohkwrTU

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 18, 2024

Standing Back Up

Juraj Slafkovsky restored the Canadiens’ two-goal lead after his bank shot somehow found the back of the net a little over a minute after Cozens’ goal. It wasn’t pretty, but if we’re being honest, that doesn’t matter at all. It was a 5v5 goal for a player who desperately needs to find his rhythm, and that’s never a bad thing.

Juraj Slafkovsky’s third goal of the year is a bank shot from the back of the net. Habs’ two-goal lead is restored. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Y3r0bQQsXt

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 18, 2024

Laine Loving Life

Speaking of 5v5 goals, Laine is yet to find the back of the net without the benefit of being on the powerplay, and it’s about time we completely ignore his fantastic work on the man-advantage, because cynicism must always reign supreme!

How dare a player who missed almost an entire calendar year take such a long time to score at 5v5? Tuesday was his seventh game with the Canadiens, for Maurice Richard’s sake! Are we just supposed to just appreciate the fact that he’s scoring more powerplay goals than most Oilers players in the 80s? What is Laine’s issue with 5v5 play, anyhow? Is he a five hater? Sir Laine prefers the number four?

Oh well, in the interest of being relatively accurate, I should probably drop the shtick and mention Laine didn’t just score once or twice on the powerplay against Buffalo. His shot is so nice, he decided to score thrice.

HAT TRICK FOR PATRIK LAINE!

The #GoHabsGo sniper scores his third powerplay goal of the game versus Buffalo.

Laine is loving life in Montreal, and Montreal is loving life with Laine. pic.twitter.com/GFAvxxMolK

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 18, 2024

Laine’s hat trick pushed his season totals to six goals in seven games, tied for fourth among all Montreal Canadiens players this season. We knew his impact on the powerplay would be immediate and impressive, but at this point we’re being treated to quite the show from a player who possesses one of the best shots in the league.

And if you will permit me to switch gears once more, I have to say it’s incredibly heartwarming to see someone who dealt with adversity make a triumphant return.

We all stumble in life, that’s perfectly normal. And we don’t have to stand up immediately, either.

Some issues take time. Investing in yourself is never a bad idea, regardless of how long it takes.

But we do have to get back up when we’re ready.

Laine was ready.

All three of Patrik Laine’s goals tonight, via TSN.

It was the 11th hat trick of his career. You can’t help but feel great for this guy. He worked hard to get back to the sport he loves, and he’s being rewarded for it.

Just a fantastic story. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/GcoZ7E7dxZ

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 18, 2024

Mister Anderson

While most of the attention will be given to Laine, and rightfully so, we do have to mention Josh Anderson has now scored in back-to-back games. Say what you will about his salary, but he has done a good job re-inventing himself this season, and that’s a big ask for a veteran. Buffalo playing with the defensive prowess of a drunken snail helped, but Anderson still gets credit for his sixth goal of the season.

Don’t look now, but Josh Anderson has goals in back-to-back games.

Also, don’t look at all if you’re a Sabres fan, because the effort provided by Buffalo is embarrassing, especially after the drama with the owner yesterday. pic.twitter.com/1Q4sTAJxsy

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 18, 2024

The Montreal Canadiens are back in action on Friday. They will face the Red Wings in Detroit, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET. All Montreal Canadiens Statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Natural Stat Trick.