Cole Caufield scores twice to lead Canadiens over Sabres 7-5

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Cole Caufield scored twice, including the game-winner, to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 7-5 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday.

The win snapped a six-game losing streak for the Canadiens, and ended a three-game winning streak for the Sabres.

Caufield’s two goals put him at a league-leading 12 for the season. His second was a power-play goal with 7:02 left in the third period that put the Canadiens ahead to stay.

Buffalo leading-scorer Tage Thompson and defenceman Mattias Samuelsson exited the game with lower-body injuries and did not return.

Rasmus Dahlin and Dylan Cozens each had a goal and an assist for Buffalo. Thompson, Peyton Krebs and JJ Peterka also scored for the Sabres.

Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield (13) celebrates his game winning goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Nick Suzuki scored twice and had an assist and Juraj Slafkovsky had three assists for Montreal. Josh Anderson, Christian Dvorak and Emil Heineman also scored.

Takeaways

Sabres: Thompson scored for the fourth straight game. Only three Sabres in the past 25 years have had longer streaks: Jason Pominville (six in 2006-2007), Dahlin (five in 2022-2023), and Thomas Vanek (five in 2008-2009).

Canadiens: Suzuki’s assist on Caufield’s goal gave him 300 career points in 389 games played, the fourth fewest games in Canadiens’ history in the past 35 years following Stephane Richer (336), Saku Koivu (381), and Chris Chelios (385).

Key moment

Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) is stick checked by Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield (13) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Thompson left the game with 18:08 to play in the second period.

Key stat

The Canadiens seven goals are their most in a game since they scored nine against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 9, 2024.

Up next

The Sabres conclude a three-game homestand against the St. Louis Blues while the Canadiens round out a four-game road trip against the Minnesota Wild each on Thursday night.

Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) celebrates his goal with right wing Alex Tuch during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens (24) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Montreal Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovsky (20) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) battle in the crease during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault makes a stick save during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki (14) lines up for a faceoff during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Montreal Canadiens left wing Emil Heineman (51) celebrates his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) celebrates his goal with right wing Alex Tuch and center Dylan Cozens (24) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Montral Canadiens, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki (14) wins a face off during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau (30) is replaced by goaltender Sam Montembeault during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Montreal Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovsky (20) and Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (9) battle after the whistle during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres’ Peyton Krebs (19) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) is stopped by Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Montreal Canadiens center Christian Dvorak (28) passes the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau (30) makes a save during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) is checked into the boards by Montreal Canadiens center Christian Dvorak (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres left wing Jordan Greenway (12) and Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard (58) collide behind the net during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) puts the puck past Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau (30) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jayden Struble (47) and Buffalo Sabres left wing Jordan Greenway (12) battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

___

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.
The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.