Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres: 3 things to watch

The Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens have split their four games so far this season. Tonight decides who wins the series between the division's low-ranking rivals. 

The Habs look to get Nathan Beaulieu and Lars Eller back tonight, but the Sabres have reinforcements on the way, as well.

Game time: 7:00 p.m. ET at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo.

Here are three things to watch:

1. The numbers game

The Habs looked discombobulated for much of the 60 minutes against the Florida Panthers.

And, not to be a Habs apologist, but who can blame them when you look at the "get well" sign spotted in the Bell Centre crowd on Tuesday?

That is your team right there.

The Canadiens have never seemed to shine under Therrien's "system" for any length of time, but right now everything looks off.

Players are running into each other, linemates either are a step too fast or too slow, and if there is a decision to be made to carry the puck or dump it in, it often seems to be the wrong one.

Injuries can certainly afford young players big NHL minutes and give them a chance to shine, but right now it looks like too much, too soon for many of them. 

2. Eichel​

The Sabres have one of the hottest young players in the league in Jack Eichel.

He is 19 years old, has scored 22 goals and is two points shy of hitting the 50-point mark in his maiden NHL season.

But as good a young hotshot as he is, the return of Sabres' forward Ryan O'Reilly tonight should be of equal or greater concern.

Reports indicate he will bounce right back onto that top line, and even after missing 11 games with a foot injury, he remains the points leader on the team with 49. 

3. .500

Numerically the Habs' stats are a soothing 32-32-6.

They have played 70 games and have 70 points.

If you like symmetry, looking at that may bring you peace.

If you are still hoping for playoff hockey in Montreal, the Habs' .500 mark in regulation games is a sobering reminder that they are a handful of games away from mathematical elimination from the post-season.

The players know it.

It is written on their faces in the locker room. and watch the reactions when they get a goal scored on them.

You can't argue with basic math, and – just as it did to many of us in high school – the math has drained their will to live.