Canadiens 2, Sabres 0: Dustin Tokarski turned aside all 29 shots he faced to record his first career shutout as visiting Montreal vaulted into second place in the Atlantic Division.

Dale Weise and Brendan Gallagher scored 86 seconds apart in the first period for the Canadiens, who have won two in a row and defeated Buffalo for the fourth consecutive time.

Nathan Lieuwen (10 saves) made his NHL debut in relief of Jhonas Enroth (20 saves), who exited the contest with 3:51 remaining in the second period after sustaining a leg injury. Buffalo's fortunes did not change, however, as it has been outscored by an 18-5 margin during its six-game losing skid.

With Carey Price remaining in Montreal to receive treatment for his groin injury, Tokarski made his second start of the season and seventh career. The 24-year-old Saskatchewan native was aided by Cody Hodgson missing the net on a breakaway late in the third period en route to his second win of the campaign.

David Desharnais' backhand shot caromed off the left skate of Weise and into the net to open the scoring 14:41 into the first period. Gallagher doubled the advantage shortly thereafter as his sharp wrist shot from the right circle was initially denied by Enroth, but the puck deflected off the right leg of trailing defenseman Chad Ruhwedel and into the net.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Playing in his 650th game, Montreal LW Thomas Vanek registered a team-high six shots on goal against his former club. Buffalo honored him with a video tribute during the game. ... Sabres D Jamie McBain drilled Gallagher into Enroth, who remained on the ice for several moments. ... Lieuwen was recalled on an emergency basis on Sunday afternoon to replace G Michal Neuvirth (lower body). ... Buffalo LW Tyler Ennis saw his four-game point streak come to an end.