Habs got only 1 point in 5 season games: Fans expect Canadiens, Sabres matchup to make exciting semi-final
The Globe and Mail (1936-Current) [Toronto, Ont] 24 Apr 1975: 46.
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The Canadiens made it to the semi-final Tuesday night by eliminating Vancouver Canucks in the fifth game of the quarter-final with a 5-4 overtime victory on a goal by Guy Lafleur.
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While the Canadiens had not expected the spirited opposition they ran into against the Canucks, they fully anticipate a tough time getting beyond the Sabres in the best-of-seven series that opens in Buffalo Sunday and continues in that city Tuesday.
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While Montreal coach Scotty Bowman had constantly advised his athletes to adopt a prudent approach to their series against the Canucks, it's unlikely he'll need the same exhortations for the Buffalo series. In five meetings this season, the Canadiens collected only one point against the Sabres... In the five games, the Sabres outscored the Canadiens 28-22.
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The Canadiens, who generally had an excellent defensive performance against the Canucks, have in the past fallen into the game pattern set by the high-scoring Sabres, by attempting to match and better Buffalo's goal output. As a result, Montreal's usually strong defensive pattern has suffered.
"We played pretty well defensively against Vancouver, but they played a defensive game themselves," Bowman said. "Buffalo will be coming at us... They played Chicago, which is a defensive team, and they didn't have any trouble scoring goals at all," he added. "We're sure going to have to play a hell of a lot better." A number of the Montreal players said basically the same thing as their coach.
Defenceman Mike Robitaille, a former member of the Sabres before joining the Canucks this season, echoed the talk that circulated among fans, during the Vancouver series. Robitaille predicted the Sabres will win.
"It should be a great series, but Buffalo is awfully tough on that small rink and the bad ice they have there," Robitaille said. "I would have to go with Buffalo."
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