Long in need of consistent depth contributions offensively, the Montreal Canadiens are finally getting some returns thus far in the young season, courtesy of rugged veteran Josh Anderson.
The 32-year-old winger has four goals in seven games, tied with captain Nick Suzuki for the team lead. His six points are third behind Suzuki and defenseman Lane Hutson. And though it’s still early in the season, he’s on pace to shatter his previous career highs of 27 goals, 20 assists and 47 points set back 2018-19 (then as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets).
Known more for his physical style of hockey, Anderson will look to keep that offensive production going when he and the Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres for the second time this week on Saturday.
Anderson doubled his goal total on Wednesday in a 5-4 loss to the Washington Capitals. It was Montreal’s first loss in three games after posting consecutive shootout victories against the Detroit Red Wings last Saturday and Buffalo on Tuesday.
“A part of the success is because of my teammates,” Anderson said. “We have good sticks, we’re doing a good job of creating chaos and forcing turnovers. We also know that one or two of us will always be near the net.”
The Canadiens have counted on the dynamic talents of Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, and Hutson. Caufield has three goals on the season but just one in his past five games and Slafkovsky has one this season, which he scored back on Oct. 6. Demidov is out with an injury.
“Honestly, just stick with it,” Caufield said of his line with Suzuki and Slafkovsky. “I like our O-zone time. Obviously we could generate a little bit more but, overall, I think (the puck) should go in at some point, so not too worried. But it’s a game of results and we’ve just got to get better at that.”
The Sabres, meanwhile, have been getting results despite struggles to put together full 60-minute efforts. Three of Buffalo’s four wins thus far have come when trailing after two periods, including their 5-4 overtime triumph against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.
It marked the second straight game that the Sabres entered the third down by two and rallied to force extra time.
“I don’t think anyone was really happy with the first two periods (against Toronto),” said defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who tied it 4-4. “I think we were just kind of getting outplayed everywhere. Obviously don’t want to put ourselves in those situations down like that.”
Samuelsson and Owen Power, who scored the game-winner, were stalwarts on the back end, each logging more than 28 minutes in the absence of captain Rasmus Dahlin. Sidelined by an upper-body injury, Dahlin will miss a third straight game Saturday.
Jack Quinn continued his strong start to the season, doubling his point total with a four-point effort on the strength of two goals and two assists. Ruff said it was the best game he’s seen the 25-year-old play.
“I’m a better player than last year, put a lot of work in the summer,” said Quinn, who had a career best 20 goals, 31 assists and 51 points last season. “Worked on a lot of things to be more confident, be a better skater, be able to hold onto pucks longer. I think it’s paying off.”