Injuries and discipline concerns shape the Canadiens evening report

The off-day in the schedule did not translate into a quiet day around the Montreal Canadiens. Injuries, an unexpected absence from practice and renewed questions about discipline and goaltending all coloured the lead-up to Saturday’s matchup against the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre.

Xhekaj sidelined, Slafkovský absent, Matheson still day-to-day

Sportsnet reports that Florian Xhekaj will be out for two weeks with a lower-body injury. Daily Faceoff notes that he has already missed the team’s last three games and was in visible pain at practice earlier this week. Sportsnet also indicates that Mike Matheson remains day-to-day.

Up front, La Presse reports that Juraj Slafkovský did not take part in Friday’s Canadiens practice at the CN Sports Complex. No further details are included in today’s material, but with a game looming on Saturday, his status will naturally be closely watched.

Discipline, details and the Dobeš question

According to La Presse, head coach Martin St-Louis feels his group has been playing good hockey in recent games, even if the team has not often been rewarded. At the same time, St-Louis would like to see a more disciplined Canadiens team. The theme of details also comes up in The Hockey Writers, which points out that Montreal’s early-season issues in the small areas of the game help explain its current spot in the standings.

In goal, Jakub Dobeš is drawing attention. The Hockey Writers writes that the Canadiens need more from Dobeš moving forward, after an impressive playoff run last spring and a new extension raised expectations for him coming into this season. Eyes on the Prize likewise wonders whether it is time to be worried about Dobeš’s start, with the Habs sitting on an 82-point pace through seven games.

Sabres in town Saturday night

Montreal enters the weekend 7th in the Atlantic Division with 7 points in 7 games and a 3-3-1 record. The Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Eastern at the Bell Centre. As noted by The Hockey Writers, the Sabres have been struggling to find a groove but are coming off a 5-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. After dropping a point in Montreal earlier this week, Buffalo arrives with some momentum. It will be up to the Canadiens to tighten their discipline, sharpen their details and settle their goaltending to make home ice count.