Canadiens vs Sabres Prediction

pickdawgz.com

09 December 2023

The Montreal Canadiens will play the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Montreal has lost three of their last four games, while Buffalo snapped their losing streak last time out. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Canadiens vs Sabres prediction.

Canadiens Preview

The Montreal Canadiens are 11-12-3 this year after they lost to the Kings by a score of 4-0 in their last game. Montreal allowed two goals in the first, one goal in the second, and one in the third for the shutout loss. The Canadiens were out shot by a total of 42-24 and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Montreal defeated Seattle by a score of 4-2 in the game prior to LA, but they lost to Detroit and Florida in the two games before that. The Canadiens are scoring 2.69 goals per game and they are allowing 3.50 goals against per game, while going 17.2% on the power play and 72.6% on the penalty kill. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with seven goals, 14 assists, and 60 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Cayden Primeau, who is 2-3-0 this season with a 3.72 goals against average and a .886 save percentage.

Sabres Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are 11-14-2 this season after they defeated Boston by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Buffalo led 2-0 in the second period and they were able to add an insurance goal in the third for the win. The Sabres out shot Boston by a total of 35-32 and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Buffalo lost their previous four games against Detroit, Nashville, Carolina, and St. Louis. Buffalo is scoring 2.85 goals per game and they are allowing 3.37 goals against per game, while going 15.2% on the power play and 81.4% on the penalty kill. Casey Mittelstadt has led Buffalo with six goals, 16 assists, and 38 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Devon Levi, who is 4-4-1 this year with a 3.44 goals against average and a .886 save percentage.

Buffalo Sabres Team Facts

The underdogs have won each of the last five games between the Canadiens and Sabres at KeyBank Center.
The underdogs have covered the puck line in 11 of the last 12 games between the Canadiens and Sabres at KeyBank Center.
The 'Over 2.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in four of the Sabres' last five games following a road win.
The Sabres have lost the first period in each of their last four games at KeyBank Center.

Montreal Canadiens Team Facts

The Canadiens have won each of their last five games at KeyBank Center following a home loss.
The Canadiens have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games as underdogs following a home loss.
The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 3' market has hit in each of the Canadiens' last 10 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
The underdogs have won the third period in six of the Canadiens' last seven games at KeyBank Center.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

Jeff Skinner has scored a goal in four of the Sabres' last five games as home favorites.
Rasmus Dahlin has recorded a point in eight of his last nine appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
Rasmus Dahlin has recorded an assist in each of the Sabres' last four games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
Victor Olofsson has the equal-most multi-assist games for the Sabres this season (3).

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

Brendan Gallagher has scored a goal in each of the Canadiens' last three night games at KeyBank Center.
David Savard has recorded at least one assist in each of the Canadiens' last four games as underdogs against the Sabres.
David Savard has recorded at least one point in each of the Canadiens' last four games against the Sabres.
Nick Suzuki ranks T1st in the Eastern Conference for shootout goals (3) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Buffalo Sabres ranks 31st in the league for Period 1 goals allowed per game this season (1.33).
The Buffalo Sabres are one of only four teams to not play in a game that have gone to shootout this season.
The Montreal Canadiens ranks 27th in the league for goals per game this season (2.69).
The Montreal Canadiens ranks 32nd in the league for Period 1 goals scored per game this season (0.54).

Canadiens vs Sabres Betting Prediction

Buffalo comes into this game after beating Boston on the road in regulation, but they have lost four of their last five games. The Sabres have only scored nine goals in their last four games, but they will face a Montreal team that is allowing 3.50 goals against per game this season. Montreal has lost three of their last four games and they have allowed at least four goals in the three losses. The Canadiens are dealing with quite a few injuries right now and I think Buffalo is going to ride the momentum from the win over Boston. Take the Sabres -1.5 here.