Buffalo Sabres (24-28-5) vs Montreal Canadiens (28-26-5)
Game Info: Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 7:00 pm (KeyBank Center)
The Line: Betting Odds: Buffalo Sabres -148 / Montreal Canadiens +124 — Over/Under: 6
In this article we will formulate a Canadiens vs Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, March 1st at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 28-26-5 this year after they defeated San Jose in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Montreal trailed 3-2 in the third period, but they were able to tie the game and get the win in overtime. The Canadiens out shot San Jose by a total of 33-26, won 56.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Caufield, Newhook, and Suzuki (2), while Montembeault stopped 23 out of 26 shots in the win.
Prior to that victory, the Canadiens defeated the Hurricanes by a score of 4-0 and the Senators by a score of 5-2. Montreal has won three games in a row and they are currently second to last in the Atlantic standings with 61 points. Montreal has scored 2.95 goals per game and they have allowed 3.34 goals against per game, while also going 21.4% on the power play and 81.8% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 18 goals, 42 assists, and 119 shots on goal, while Cole Caufield has added 28 goals, 25 assists, and 175 shots on goal. Jakub Dobes is 5-2-1 with a 2.71 goals against average and a .908 save percentage this year.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 24-28-5 this season after they lost to Carolina by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Buffalo cut the deficit to 4-2 early in the third period, but couldn’t find anymore offense in the loss. The Sabres were out shot by a total of 37-15, won 47% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Peterka and Tuch, while Reimer stopped 27 out of 29 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Sabres defeated the Ducks by a score of 3-2 and the Rangers by a score of 8-2. Buffalo has won six of their last eight games and they are currently last in the Atlantic standings with 53 points. Buffalo has scored 3.19 goals per game and they have allowed 3.39 goals against per game, while also going 17% on the power play and 77.2% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 28 goals, 23 assists, and 160 shots on goal, while Rasmus Dahlin has added nine goals, 37 assists, and 124 shots on goal. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 20-16-4 with a 3.01 goals against average and an .894 save percentage this year.
Why the Canadiens will beat the Sabres
- The underdogs have won each of the last seven games between the Canadiens and Sabres at KeyBank Center.
- The Sabres have lost three of their last four games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Canadiens’ last seven games at KeyBank Center.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in 10 of their last 12 games as home favorites.
- The underdogs have won the third period in six of the last seven games between the Canadiens and Sabres at KeyBank Center.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last six home games against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Nine of the Canadiens’ last 11 road games following an overtime win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last nine games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Alex Tuch has scored at least one goal in four of the Sabres’ last five games.
- Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in seven of his last eight appearances with the Sabres as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one point in 17 of his last 18 appearances against Eastern Conference opponents at KeyBank Center.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Kaiden Guhle has recorded a point in seven of his last eight appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Lane Hutson has recorded at least one assist in six of the Canadiens’ last seven games as road underdogs.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 1st in the league for Period 1 goals scored per game this season (1.19).
- The Buffalo Sabres are one of only two teams to lose 10+ games when tied after Period 2 this season.
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 30th in the league for shots per game this season (26.0).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 29th in the league in save percentage this season (.885).
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Canadiens vs Sabres Prediction
Montreal comes into this game on a three game winning streak and they have scored at least four goals in all three of those wins. The Canadiens are 13-14-1 on the road this year, while the Sabres are 15-12-3 at home. Buffalo has played pretty well over their last eight games and they have shown some defensive improvement, which is badly needed. Both of these teams are playing well right now and I think this game is close to a toss up, so I will take the Canadiens and the plus money. Montreal may not be very strong on the road, but they have beaten Buffalo twice already this year.