Montreal defenseman Andrei Markov reached the 500-point mark with a career-best five points and the Canadiens beat the host Buffalo Sabres 7-2 on Friday to run their season-opening winning streak to eight games.
“Maybe, I just got lucky today,” Markov said after producing a goal and four assists. “It’s great to have eight wins, but tomorrow is another challenge.”
The Canadiens are two victories shy of the NHL record for wins to start a season set by the Maple Leafs in 1993-94 and matched by the Sabres in 2006-07.
Brendan Gallagher and Dale Weise each scored twice, and Max Pacioretty and Torrey Mitchell also scored.