St. Louis Calms Canadiens Ahead of Game 6 — Habs Game Tonight
The Canadiens get habs game tonight in Montreal with a chance to eliminate the Sabres in Game 6 and move on to the Eastern Conference Final. Saturday night brings a rare home playoff stage for a team that can close out the series in front of its own crowd.
St. Louis And Game 6
Martin St. Louis has spent the playoff run repeating one message: “Control what you can through the chaos.” He said before the optional morning skate that the setting is “very chaotic” and added, “I’ve said it before, but can you see clearly through that chaos? It’s going to be noisy, emotional, and you want to win the game, but are you able to bring the level of details required through all that chaos?”
He also pushed his players to keep the night simple. “Guys, it’s just another game, let’s go play. The nets will be there in the same spot, the blue line, the red, let’s just go play.” St. Louis said, “Of course the guys want to close the series tonight, for sure,” while also asking, “If you just spend so much time telling them how important it is, do you raise the level of stress?”
Bell Centre Saturday Crowd
Game 6 is scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET and 4:30 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+. Jake Evans called it “our first Saturday night playoff game at home,” and said, “I’ve learned throughout these playoffs, it feels like it’s the same crowd no matter what the day is. Again, it’s the best building to play in. Saturdays are always special, but every day when you’re in the playoffs, it doesn’t matter what day it is.”
Montreal police added another layer to the night by asking people on Friday night to leave pyrotechnics and fireworks at home for the outdoor watch party outside the Bell Centre. Police said carrying anything that explodes, burns or can be launched is prohibited at large gatherings.
Lindy Ruff And Buffalo
The Sabres are dealing with the other side of the pressure. Lindy Ruff cancelled both Friday's practice and Saturday's skate, and said, “I know the pressure they’re feeling” and “I know how they feel.” Buffalo’s season is on the line for the first time in the series, while Montreal can turn this into a series-clinching win and a trip to face the Carolina Hurricanes.
That is the sharp edge of Game 6: one home win for Montreal ends the series, while Buffalo has to survive a night built around noise, emotion and a crowd that has been waiting for this chance.
