| MATCHUP | Buffalo Sabres | Montreal Canadiens |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 4-3 | 3-3 |
| Spread | +1.5 -205 | -1.5 170 |
| Moneyline | +120 | -142 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (-110) | Under 6.5 (-110) |
| Where | Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | |
| When | Saturday, October 17, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | NHL Net | |
The Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens meet Saturday in NHL action at the Bell Centre. Here’s a Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction. This article will include a Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Pick.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres lost to the Habs, beat the Maple Leafs, and they play the Flyers next. The Sabres have lost 3 of their last 5 games.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring 10.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 4 goals, Owen Power has 6 assists, and Jack Quinn has 22 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.63 goals per game and are killing 61.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has allowed 20 goals on 137 shots faced, and Colten Ellis has given up 8 goals on 59 shots.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens beat the Sabres, lost to the Capitals, and they play the Sharks next. The Canadiens have lost 4 of their last 6 games.
The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring on 13.6 percent of their power play opportunities. Nick Suzuki leads Montreal with 4 goals, Lane Hutson has 6 assists, and Cole Caufield has 24 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 3.86 goals per game and are killing 80 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jakub Dobes has given up 18 goals on 113 shots faced, and Jacob Fowler has allowed 6 goals on 65 shots.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Canadiens have won each of their last four games at Bell Centre when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Sabres have lost four of their last five night games following a road win.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in five of their last six games at Bell Centre following a road loss.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents after coming off overtime.
- The Canadiens have won the second period in five of their last six night games against the Sabres at Bell Centre when tied after the first period.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won 12 of their last 14 games as underdogs following a road win.
- The Canadiens have lost five of their last seven games as favorites following a road loss.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last nine games as road underdogs following a road win.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven games as favorites.
- The Canadiens have lost the second period in eight of their last nine games against Atlantic Division opponents when leading after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last four road games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Six of the Canadiens’ last seven home games against the Sabres following a road loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five games between two teams from the Atlantic Division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 11 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the last eight games between the Sabres and Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has scored a goal in four of the Canadiens’ last five home games against the Sabres.
- Lane Hutson has recorded at least one assist in eight of the Canadiens’ last nine games against the Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Rasmus Dahlin has scored a goal in each of the Sabres’ last five Saturday road games.
- Zach Benson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last four road games.
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Injury Report
The Canadiens will be without Florian Xhekaj, Mike Matheson, Sam Montembeault, Oliver Kapanen, Bryce Pickford, Ivan Demidov, and Lucas Condotta.
The Sabres will be without Alex Lyon, Conor Timmins, Topias Leinonen, Jack Rathbone, and Jason Zucker. Rasmus Dahlin is day-to-day.
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction
The Sabres are a talented team and worth a look in the underdog role, but I’m leaning toward the Habs and the reasonable price. The Canadiens have found their spark offensively all of a sudden, and they’re due for a breakout performance on their home ice. The Canadiens have won 5 of the last 7 games against the Sabres. The Sabres have played a lot of hockey this week with back-to-back overtime games. Give me the Habs on Saturday night.