| MATCHUP | Buffalo Sabres | Montreal Canadiens |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 50-23-9 | 48-24-10 |
| Spread | +1.5 -245 | -1.5 200 |
| Moneyline | +102 | -122 |
| Total | Over 5.5 (-130) | Under 5.5 (110) |
| Where | Montreal Stadium | |
| When | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN | |
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres look to remain undefeated on the road to take a 2-1 series lead. The Sabres have won 5 of their last 8 games.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.13 goals per game and are scoring 9.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Alex Tuch leads Buffalo with 4 goals, Tage Thompson has 5 assists, and Rasmus Dahlin has 30 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 2.28 goals per game and are killing 87 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has allowed 7 goals on 40 shots faced, and Alex Lyon has given up 11 goals on 166 shots.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens look for their second home win to take a 2-1 series lead. The Canadiens have split their last 8 games.
The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 2.56 goals per game and are scoring on 18.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Juraj Slafkovsky leads Montreal with 3 goals, Nick Suzuki has 5 assists and Lane Hutson has 21 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 2.22 goals per game and are killing 81.1 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jakub Dobes has given up 20 goals on 242 shots faced.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Canadiens have won four of their last five night games of a playoff series.
- The Sabres have lost three of their last four games at Bell Centre.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games.
- The Sabres have lost the first period in four of their last five night games at Bell Centre.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won each of their last five games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Canadiens have lost three of their last four games as favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Canadiens’ last nine games at Bell Centre.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as favorites.
- The Canadiens have lost the first period in each of their last four games as favorites.
Total Goals Facts
- Eight of the Canadiens’ last nine night games against Atlantic Division opponents at Bell Centre have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the Sabres’ last five road games against the Canadiens following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Six of the last eight games between two teams from the Atlantic Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last nine road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of the last five games between the Sabres and Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has scored a goal in four of the Canadiens’ last five games as favorites against the Sabres.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in each of the Canadiens’ last four home games against the Sabres.
- Cole Caufield ranks 2nd in the league for Goals (51) this season.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Bowen Byram has recorded an assist in each of the Sabres’ last six games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Alex Tuch has scored a goal in each of the Sabres’ last four road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Zach Benson has recorded four assists against the Canadiens this season—equal to the most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Montreal Canadiens rank T4th in the league in short-handed goals allowed this season (4).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 4th in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (1.20).
- The Buffalo Sabres are one of seven teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
- The Buffalo Sabres rank T2nd in the league in shorthanded goals this season (11).
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Injury Report
The Habs will be without Patrik Laine due to an abdominal injury.
The Sabres will be without Justin Danforth, Jiri Kulich, and Noah Ostlund. Sam Carrick is questionable with an arm injury.
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction
The Canadiens should get the benefit of the doubt at home, where it’s sure to be an electric atmosphere. The Habs have also won 7 of the last 10 games against the Sabres. Still, I’m grabbing the plus money. The Sabres have been terrific on the road this postseason, which includes an undefeated record and they’ve had more consistent success finding the back of the net. Also, the Sabres have defended the power play at a higher percentage. It’s fair to say the Sabes have been the more impressive team up to this point. Give me the more favorable price.