Montembeault, Suzuki help Canadiens beat Sabres, 4-0

MONTREAL (AP) — Samuel Montembeault made 32 saves for his first NHL shutout, Nick Suzuki scored his second goal of the game on a penalty shot and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 on Wednesday night for their fourth straight victory.

Cole Caufield had a goal and an assist, and Jake Evans added an empty-netter.

Craig Anderson made 25 saves for Buffalo. The Sabres have lost four in a row.

The Canadiens scored the first goal for a fourth straight game following a giveaway by Cody Eakin in his own zone. Montreal tried to respond with a shot, with Suzuki pouncing on a loose puck in the slot and tapping it in.

Suzuki was awarded a penalty shot at 5:57 of the second period after the center intercepted the puck in the neutral zone and was hooked by Dylan Cousins. Suzuki started his attempt far on the right side, then patiently cut inside and beat Anderson with an upper right-hand corner shot.

NOTES: Under Martin St. Louis’ seven-game tenure as interim head coach, Caufield has six goals and four assists. ... Montreal’s Josh Anderson left the game late in the second when he was hit in the head while trying to block a shot from Casey Mittelstadt. Paul Byron also didn’t return to the game after suffering a hit in the first period.

UP NEXT

Sabres: At St. Louis on Friday night.

Canadiens: At Ottawa on Saturday night.