MONTREAL (AP) – In an electrifying matchup on December 17, 2024, the Montreal Canadiens delivered a staggering blow to the struggling Buffalo Sabres, defeating them 6-1. The star of the night was none other than Patrik Laine, who netted his first hat trick with the Canadiens, pushing Buffalo's winless streak to a shocking 11 games.

The Canadiens wasted no time in taking control of the game, with Joel Armia scoring just 19 seconds into the first period. Capitalizing on a critical error by Sabres defenseman Owen Power, Armia seized an opportunity created by a mishandled puck behind the net.

Montreal's onslaught continued as Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, and Laine added to the scoreline, backed by a strong performance from their dynamic duo of Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, who each tallied two assists. Lane Hutson also contributed, creating multiple chances for his teammates. Canadiens' goaltender Sam Montembeault was solid, stopping 20 shots to secure the decisive victory.

Buffalo managed to get one on the board with Dylan Cozens scoring a lone goal, but the Sabres’ offensive woes were evident. Starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen faced 21 shots, saving only 15, while backup James Reimer played the entire third period, stopping all six shots he faced.

Adding to the spectacle, Laine scored his second and third goals during a five-on-three power play in the second period, just 1:10 apart, extending the Canadiens' lead to 5-1. With these goals, Laine brought his season total to six in only seven games since returning from a knee injury, showcasing his scoring prowess and proving to be an invaluable asset to his new team.

Despite the owner Terry Pegula's visit to Montreal for an apparent team meeting, the Sabres did not come out firing, recording their first shot over 10 minutes into the game while Montreal had already racked up two goals and nine shots at that point. The Sabres' constant penalties, five minor calls in just the first two periods, further hindered their chances to gain momentum.

As if the night couldn't get any better for Canadiens fans, the arena erupted in cheers and threw hats onto the ice in celebration of Laine's impressive hat trick, marking the 11th time in his career he's achieved this feat. Currently, Laine is tied for fourth on the team in goals even though he has missed a significant portion of the season, alongside teammates Anderson, Alex Newhook, and Emil Heineman.

Looking ahead, the Canadiens will face the Detroit Red Wings this Friday, while the Sabres will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on the same night. Will the Canadiens maintain their offensive dominance, and can the Sabres find a way to end their dismal streak? Fans won't want to miss this exciting weekend of hockey!