DETROIT — Jake Allen made 36 saves to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Alex DeBrincat scored three goals for his fifth career hat trick and the Detroit Red Wings beat the road-weary Calgary Flames 6-2 for their fifth straight win.
Allen made several big stops in net for the Canadiens, guiding Montreal to its second win in a row. Brendan Gallagher, Justin Barron and Tanner Pearson scored for Montreal.
“He definitely did his job tonight,” Pearson said of Allen. “He was a big reason why we won.”
Jeff Skinner scored for the Sabres, who dominated the flow of play and outshot Montreal 37-27, but Buffalo was unable to capitalize on the scoreboard. Eric Comrie made 24 saves.
“This team and this group will score,” Sabres coach Don Granato said according to AP. “Yeah, it´s frustrating. You had numerous chances that they didn´t convert on. We know we have goal scorers in here and guys that will make plays. I just think that´ll come.”
Allen’s most important save came on the penalty kill with 8:32 remaining. After Canadiens defenseman David Savard blocked back-to-back shots – while losing one of his skate blades in the process – Allen stopped a Skinner shot from the right circle with his glove.
“I feel like (Savard) does it every night,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said.
“Savvy´s a hockey player. There´s a big difference between someone who plays hockey and a hockey player and Savvy´s showing that game in and game out that he´s a hockey player. You can´t have too many of those guys. That´s what he does.”
DeBrincat scored three goals for his fifth career hat trick and the Red Wings beat the road-weary Flames 6-2 win.
Joe Veleno scored his third goal in two games, Dylan Larkin had a goal and an assist, and Jake Walman got his first of the season for Detroit. Justin Holl and Lucas Raymond each had three assists, and James Reimer made 29 saves, AP reported.
DeBrincat, acquired in an offseason trade with Ottawa, increased his season goal total to a league-high eight.
Andrew Mangiapane and Yegor Sharangovich scored for Calgary. Dan Vladar stopped 24 shots as the Flames finished 1-3-1 on a five-game trip.
Gallagher scored the go-ahead goal for Montreal 3:31 into the third period by poking a loose puck in the crease through Comrie´s legs.
Pearson gave Montreal a two-goal cushion with 3:07 remaining, finishing a one-timer from close range on the power play.
Barron opened the scoring for Montreal 2:56 into the game on a one-timer from the right circle. Barron capitalized on a long rebound for his first goal of the season.
