Young readers — if any — will be amazed to learn there was a time when there were only six NHL teams and clubs would play each other 14 times over 70 games.
That led to rivalries, feuds and tempers flaring on a regular basis.
While those days are a distant memory, the closest thing we’ll get to that being recreated — at least during the regular season — is when teams meet each other twice over three days.
Exhibit A: The Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres, who renewed hostilities Monday night at the Bell Centre after the teams combined for 34 penalty minutes — 24 by the Sabres — Saturday night in western New York.
Monday’s game, shall we say, was a lively affair — almost from the opening faceoff. In the second minute, Dylan Cozens upended Brendan Gallagher, prompting Josh Anderson to put a headlock on Cozens. Approximately four minutes later, Cozens again hit Gallagher, at which point Arber Xhekaj hooked Jordan Greenway and appeared to be seeking a fight, although Greenway wanted no part.
At one point even Christian Dvorak and J.J. Peterka — two unlikely combatants — did their best to mix it up.
We were around for the original six and we endorsed these shenanigans. Coincidentally, seated directly behind the Canadiens’ bench on this night was Chris Nilan — first row on the aisle — who must have wished he was still active. So do we.
Which leads us to this: According to CanadaSportsBetting, the Sabres are naughty boys. Between 2014 and 2024, Buffalo averaged 3.48 penalties per game but this season is averaging 4.05. That’s a league-high 16.5 per cent increase. The Canadiens, in case you’re wondering, are significantly more disciplined. Montreal averaged 3.93 penalties per game over the last decade and has increased it slightly this season, to 3.98, for a 1.3 per cent increase.
News you need (Part I): With their 4-3 overtime victory — more difficult than required — over Buffalo on Monday, the Canadiens won their fifth consecutive game for the first time since Feb. 17-26, 2022, and the fifth time in franchise history. For those wondering, the franchise record of 12 straight victories occurred between Jan. 6 and Feb. 3, 1968.
News you need (Part II): Cole Caufield — who else — opened the scoring midway through the opening period on the power play. It was his team-leading 30th goal this season and his fourth in five games. In the process, he tied Vincent Damphousse and Max Pacioretty for the sixth-fastest in franchise history to reach that total. It was Caufield’s 61st game.
News you need (Part III): According to SportlogiQ, the Canadiens’ chances of making the playoffs increased from 13.7 per cent to 18.5 per cent with the win. Had they lost, the odds would have decreased to 9.4 per cent.
Trifecta: The Canadiens took a 3-0 first-period lead, scoring on their fifth, sixth and seventh shots.
Why is everyone picking on him?: In the game’s 13th minute Jake Evans, who might have played his final home game as a Canadien, was hit — twice — within seconds by Ryan McLeod and Rasmus Dahlin.
With teammates like this, who needs enemies?: Juraj Slafkovsky was credited with the third Montreal goal — its second on the power play. He was attempting a pass to Caufield, but the puck deflected off defenceman Connor Clifton, eluding goaltender James Reimer.
Double whammy: Early in the second period, not only did Alex Newhook fail to convert a breakaway, he also was called for interference on Reimer.
Even the glass shook: That was some hit Beck Malenstyn, 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, administered against defenceman Alexandre Carrier, four inches shorter and 35 pounds lighter, in the second period.
A goal-scorer he’s not: Xhekaj almost scored his second goal this season in 58 games. He couldn’t convert a second-period breakaway, while being checked from behind by Owen Power. That caused Xhekaj to lose his balance and crash into referee Jake Brenk, who couldn’t elude him in the corner and wound up on the ice as well. It would have been his 10th goal in 153 career games.
Difference of opinion: Newhook clearly didn’t agree with the tripping penalty he was assessed in the third period on Clifton. It did appear borderline.
Dumb penalty: Dahlin, the Sabres’ captain, took three minors in the game, including an interference call late in the third period after upending Mike Matheson in the offensive zone. But Dahlin atoned, scoring the tying goal with 61 seconds remaining — and Reimer on the bench — in regulation time.
Sieve: Reimer hardly looked good on Matheson’s OT winner from the right-wing circle.
Next time, decline the penalty: Not only did Buffalo go 0-for-4 with the man advantage, Nick Suzuki scored a short-handed goal against the visitors.
Quick stats: Suzuki had four shots, one more than Xhekaj, Caufield and Slafkovsky, who also had four hits. Carrier blocked five shots. Matheson played 28:22. The Canadiens won 59.7 per cent of their faceoffs but were outhit 37-20. Reimer’s save percentage was .800.
They said it: “Take the two points and run with them,” said Suzuki, who was in on every Canadiens scoring play with a goal and three assists. “It was a pretty frustrating two periods, especially after the way we started. But all that matters now is the two points. It’s tough. We’re a pretty process-driven team. But it’s a big two points before the road trip and it sets us up nicely.”
“It’s tough. You get up 3-0 and maybe you take your foot off the gas,” Gallagher said. “There’s ways to play with the lead. We weren’t at our best tonight. We’re not going to hide that. There have been games we’ve played really well and haven’t been rewarded. We’ll take the two points.”
“Playing with a lead after three goals in the first is kind of difficult,” Xhekaj said. “We haven’t really figured that part out yet. It’s tough to beat a team four times in a year.”
“We keep saying it. Each game is bigger than the next one,” Matheson said. “Obviously it wasn’t ideal to give up that lead. To be able to come back and win it at the end was huge.”