The Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens meet Thursday in NHL action at the Bell Centre. Here’s a Canadiens vs Sabres Prediction. This article will include a Canadiens vs Sabres Pick.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres lost to the Hurricanes, beat the Predators, and they play the Islanders next. The Sabres have won 10 of their last 14 games.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.27 goals per game and are scoring 19.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 26 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 29 assists, and Alex Tuch has 113 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.12 goals per game and are killing 82.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Alex Lyon has given up 57 goals on 611 shots faced, and Colten Ellis has allowed 32 goals on 314 shots.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens beat the Senators and Wild, and they play the Bruins next. The Canadiens have won 9 of their last 13 games.
The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 3.4 goals per game and are scoring on 23.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Cole Caufield leads Montreal with 25 goals, Lane Hutson has 43 assists and Nick Suzuki has 107 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 3.26 goals per game and are killing 77.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jakub Dobes has given up 66 goals on 584 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 64 goals on 503 shots.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Sabres have lost each of their last five games at Bell Centre against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Canadiens have won six of their last seven home games.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games against the Sabres following a home win.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four games at Bell Centre.
- The Canadiens have won the first period in each of their last four home games against the Sabres.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won each of their last 12 night games following a road win.
- The Canadiens have lost four of their last five games as home favorites following a home win.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games as underdogs.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games as favorites following a home win.
- The Canadiens have lost the third period in each of their last five home games against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last seven night games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the Canadiens’ last six games as favorites following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the last three games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last nine games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last nine night games.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has scored the first goal in three of the Canadiens’ last four games against the Sabres.
- Cole Caufield has scored at least one goal in each of the Canadiens’ last three games.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in each of the Canadiens’ last six games against the Sabres.
- Cole Caufield ranks T1st in the league for Game Winning Goals (7) this season.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Tage Thompson has scored at least one goal in four of the Sabres’ last five games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Sabres’ last eight games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Tage Thompson has scored three goals against the Canadiens this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 3rd in the league for goals per game this season (3.40).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 26th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (77.44%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 7th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (82.84%).
- The Buffalo Sabres have recorded the equal-longest road winning streak (7 games) in the NHL this season.
Canadiens vs Sabres Prediction
The Habs are getting the edge because they’re at home, and they’ve won 7 of the last 10 games against the Sabres. However, it was the Sabres who just beat the Canadiens last week in a similar underdog role. While the Canadiens are playing good hockey in their own right, this is some of the best hockey the Sabres have played in years. This is looking like a consistent Sabres team that’s holding their own in a tough Atlantic. I’ll take a shot with the plus money in what should be a fun game on Thursday night.