Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens: NHL Odds, Prediction

Andrew Rogers
Last Updated: November 25, 2017

Carey Price will make his long-awaited return to the Montreal lineup as the Canadiens look to end a five-game losing skid Saturday night against visiting Buffalo. Price hasn’t played since Nov. 2 due to injury and, while he struggled to open the season, his return will be a welcome sight to a Canadiens team that has surrendered 19 goals during its losing streak. Buffalo ended a seven-game skid Friday with a 3-1 victory over the visiting Edmonton Oilers.

Sabres vs. Canadiens

NHL odds: Canadiens -220
Date: Saturday, November 25, 7 p.m. ET
Bell Centre, Montreal, Que.

NHL Odds and Betting Analysis

Oddsmakers are no fans of the Sabres in this one, and with good reason: the visitors have just six victories and have already dropped a pair of one-goal decisions to Montreal this season. The Sabres have won just 15 of their past 52 road games dating back to last season, and have won just two of their previous eight encounters with the rival Habs. Montreal is reeling overall, but has prevailed in five of its last seven games against divisional opponents.

Neither team’s offence has been all that inspiring through the first quarter of the season, making the under play a strong option Saturday. Buffalo has played below the total in six of its last seven games against the Eastern Conference, and is 0-7-1 O/U in its past eight when its opponent scores two goals or fewer in its previous game. Montreal has gone over the total just once in its past nine games, and is 1-4-1 O/U in its last six home contests.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres’ power play has short-circuited in recent games after going through a three-game hot spell earlier in the month. Buffalo has gone 0-for-13 with the man advantage over the past three games, one of the main reasons why it has just 11 goals in that span. Star forward Jack Eichel has been getting the majority of grief for the team’s scoring woes, but he scored in the win over Edmonton and is on pace to establish a career best in points.

Montreal Canadiens

Price being back in the lineup only represents half the equation required for Montreal to get back on the winning track. He’ll need to be a lot better than he was prior to his injury absence, when he went 3-7-1 with an abysmal 3.77 goals-against average and an .877 save percentage. Getting him back on track will also need to coincide with a better showing on offence; the Canadiens have scored just eight goals during their five-game skid.