The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres meet Monday in NHL action at the KeyBank Center. Here’s a Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction. This article will include a Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Pick.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens lost to the Devils and Maple Leafs, and they play the Wild and Blue Jackets next. The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 2.6 goals per game and are scoring 22 percent of their power play opportunities. Cole Caufield leads Montreal with 10 goals, Nick Suzuki has 9 assists and Brendan Gallagher has 31 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 4.07 goals per game and are killing 80.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Cayden Primeau has given up 24 goals on 173 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 33 goals on 295 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres beat the Rangers and Flames, and they play the Blues and Flyers next. The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.27 goals per game and are scoring on 15.6 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 10 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 9 assists and Dylan Cozens has 44 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.07 goals per game and are killing 77.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Devon Levi has given up 15 goals on 123 shots faced, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has allowed 29 goals on 323 shots.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Canadiens have lost each of their last 10 road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Sabres have won each of their last four games at KeyBank Center after coming off a shootout.
- The home team has covered the puck line in each of the Canadiens’ last five games.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Sabres have won the second period in each of their last five games as favorites following a shootout win.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last six games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Tage Thompson has scored at least one goal in each of the Sabres’ last seven-day games.
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres’ last eight-day games.
- John-Jason Peterka ranks T1st in the Atlantic Division for shootout goals (1) this season.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Lane Hutson has recorded at least one assist in five of the Canadiens’ last six games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Brendan Gallagher has recorded at least one point in each of the Canadiens’ last five road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Cole Caufield has scored at least one goal in eight of the Canadiens’ last 10 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Lane Hutson ranks 1st amongst rookies for average time on ice (23:12) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 26th in the league in power play percentage this season (15.56%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank T2nd in the league in short-handed goals this season (2).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 32nd in the league for goals against per game this season (4.07).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 32nd in the league for shots per game this season (24.6).
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction
The Montreal Canadiens remain a mess defensively, and they haven’t won a game since October 27. The Habs are 1-5-1 on the road this season. It’s impossible to back the Canadiens with confidence in their current form. The Buffalo Sabres are coming off a strong week with three straight wins, and they’ve played their best hockey at home where 5 of their 6 wins have come. Two teams are heading in different directions. Give me the Sabres and the PL for max betting value.