In this article, we will formulate a Canadiens vs Sabres Prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, January 15th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Buffalo Sabres Preview
The Sabres have 54 points this season with a 25-16-4 record, and are 24-21 ATS and 20-23 in over/under. They have a 15-6-2 home record and a 10-10-2 road record and are sitting 5th in the Atlantic Division. They are coming off a 5-2 home win over the Flyers, and their previous three games were a 4-3 home loss to the Panthers, a 5-3 home win over the Ducks, and a 5-2 road win over the Rangers.
Offensively, the Sabres are averaging 3.22 goals per game and are scoring 18.5% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.11 goals per game and are killing 84.6% of their opponent’s power plays.
Tage Thompson leads the Sabres with 44 points, also leading the team in goals with 22, while Rasmus Dahlin leads the team in assists with 26. Alex Lyon is the starting goalie for the Sabres, and he has a 10-6-3 record, with 2.82 GAA and .906 SV%. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the backup goalie and he has a 10-6-1 record, with 2.59 GAA and .904 SV%.
Montreal Canadiens Preview
The Canadiens have 59 points this season with a 26-14-7 record, and are 27-20 ATS and 28-18 in over/under. They have a 13-10-1 home record and a 13-4-6 road record and are sitting 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They are coming off a 3-2 road overtime loss to the Capitals, and their previous three games were a 6-3 home win over the Canucks, a 4-0 home loss to the Red Wings, and a 6-2 home win over the Panthers.
Offensively, the Canadiens are averaging 3.34 goals per game and are scoring 22.4% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.19 goals per game and are killing 79.7% of their opponent’s power plays.
Nick Suzuki leads the Canadiens with 50 points, also leading the team in assists with 36, while Cole Caufield leads the team in goals with 21. Jakub Dobes is the starting goalie for the Canadiens, and he has a 14-5-3 record, with 3.01 GAA and .888 SV%. Samuel Montembeault is the backup goalie and he has a 8-6-2 record, with 3.35 GAA and .874 SV%.
Montreal Canadiens @ Buffalo Sabres Betting Trends: January 15, 2026
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The underdogs have won each of the Canadiens’ last eight games at KeyBank Center.
- The Canadiens have lost each of their last three games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 13 games as road favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Canadiens’ last eight games at KeyBank Center.
- The Sabres have won the second period in each of their last eight night games.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Canadiens have won each of their last six road games against the Sabres.
- The Sabres have lost six of their last seven home games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last 12 road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four home games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The road team has won the second period in seven of the last eight games between the Canadiens and Sabres.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last five games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Six of the Canadiens’ last seven games as favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Three of the last four games between two teams from the Atlantic Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Canadiens’ last eight games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last seven night games.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Alex Tuch has scored the last goal in three of the Sabres’ last four home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Ryan McLeod has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Sabres’ last eight games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Tage Thompson has scored a goal in three of the Sabres’ last four games as home underdogs.
- Tyson Kozak has recorded a faceoff win percentage of 75.0% against the Canadiens this season – most against any opponent.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Joe Veleno has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances with his team as a road favorite against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Canadiens’ last 10 games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Patrik Laine has scored the last goal in three of his last four appearances with his team as a road favorite against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Kaiden Guhle has recorded 24 career blocks against the Sabres – most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 4th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.55%).
- The Buffalo Sabres have recorded the equal-longest road winning streak (7 games) in the NHL this season.
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 5th in the league for goals per game this season (3.34).
- The Montreal Canadiens has scored 4+ goals in 25 games this season – equal-most in the NHL.
Canadiens vs Sabres Prediction
In their previous meeting earlier this season, the Canadiens won 4-2 at home and are 8-2 in their last 10 meetings against the Sabres.
In this Canadiens vs Sabres Prediction, the Canadiens are coming as -115 road favorites. The Sabres have been the hottest team in hockey with a 14-2 run in their last 16 games, but they are playing their second leg of a home back-to-back. The Canadiens have more points than the Sabres this season and are 4-2 in their last 6 games, playing their second straight game on the road. The Sabres have a better defense, penalty kill and a better goaltending so combined with the home court advantage, I expect them to get the job done in this one. Take the Sabres on the moneyline.