The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres face off on Monday in an NHL showdown at the KeyBank Center.
Canadiens Look For Another Win
The Canadiens sit with a 2-1-1 record overall and in the last game against the Washington Capitals they were able to win overtime. The Canadiens only scored three goals, but that was enough for the victory. Cole Caufield had a strong game finishing with one goal and one assist. The Canadiens this season are averaging 3.25 goals while their defense is giving up 3.5 goals per game. The offense is ranked 12th while the defense is ranked 22nd. In this game the defense is going to need to be good.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has scored a goal in three of the Canadiens' last four games.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Tanner Pearson has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six appearances against the Sabres.
- Sean Monahan has the most multi-point games for the Canadiens this season (2).
Can Sabres Pick Up Second Win in a Row?
The Sabres haven’t been exactly great this season, but they are coming off a victory in the last game. In the last game against the Montreal Canadiens, the Sabres scored three goals and the defense gave up only one on the way to the victory. Casey Mittelstadt finished with two assists. Jeff Skinner also had a goal and an assist. Overall this season the Sabres have had some issues with the offense averaging only 2.4 goals per game while their defense is giving up 3.0 goals per game. The defense is ranked 13th and if the offense continues to struggle the defense is going to need to have a big game.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Jeff Skinner has scored at least one goal in five of the Sabres' last six games as favorites against the Canadiens.
- Jeff Skinner has recorded at least one point in nine of the Sabres' last 10 games as home favorites.
- Alex Tuch has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Sabres' last eight games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Casey Mittelstadt has the most multi-point games for the Sabres this season (2).
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres ranks 29th in the league in power play percentage this season (6.25%).
- The Buffalo Sabres ranks 5th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (94.74%).
- The Montreal Canadiens ranks 1st in the league in penalty minutes this season (95).
- The Montreal Canadiens ranks 29th in the league for opponent goals in Period 3 per game this season (1.75).
Shane’s Free Pick
This game is going to be a lower scoring. I really don’t trust either of these offenses and especially the Sabres are going to have some major issues getting the offense going here. The Canadiens also will struggle against the Sabres defense and that is going to lead to this game being lower scoring and the under is going to cash. This is a very strong play, one of my favorites plays of the week.
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
