The Montreal Canadiens start a four-game road trip on Thursday night with a visit to the surprising Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo is a -145 favourite to win on the NHL odds.
Canadiens vs. Sabres NHL Betting Odds
This is the first of three meetings this season. The Canadiens host the Sabres on Nov. 22 and then Montreal returns to Buffalo on March 27.
Montreal was 1-3 in the series last season and 0-2 away. Nick Suzuki led the Habs with three points. Jonathan Drouin didn’t have a point and was minus-3. Sam Montembeault started all four in net and had a 3.53 goals-against average and .899 save percentage.
Jeff Skinner torched Montreal with four goals and five assists and was plus-3. Tage Thompson had four goals, two on the power play. Craig Anderson was 2-1-0 with a 2.34 GAA and .923 SV, and Dustin Tokarski allowed one goal in a victory in his lone start. He’s no longer with Buffalo.
The Sabres are 7-3 in the past 10 meetings. The under is 3-1-1 in the past five.
Montreal Canadiens
Tough break for those who took Montreal around -155 on the puckline on Tuesday as the Canadiens lost 3-1 at home to Minnesota – that goal coming on an empty net at 19:29 of the third. Cole Caufield’s fifth goal of the season had tied the game 1-1 early in the second. Sean Monahan had an assist to extend his points streak to four games in a row. Blueliner Jordan Harris recorded two hits and seven blocked shots over a season-high 25:39. Jake Allen stopped 28 of 30 shots to fall to 2-3-0 with a 2.63 GAA and .917 SV.
Allen has started three in a row, so it might be Montembeault’s turn here. No. 1 overall pick Juraf Slafkovsky missed his second game in a row due to an upper-body injury and is day-to-day. Injured Joel Edmundson and Joel Armia will join the Habs on this road trip, but it’s unlikely either plays here. Montreal is 2-5 in its past seven vs. the Atlantic Division.
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo looks much improved at 4-2-0 but does come off a 5-1 upset loss in Seattle on Tuesday – might have just been the Sabres were tired at the end of a four-game trip. Buffalo and San Jose are the only teams that have lost three times to the Kraken since they joined the NHL as an expansion franchise last season.
“We couldn’t get in a rhythm,” said Sabres coach Don Granato. “(Seattle) had much better energy than us. We chased it. We had a lot of guys that didn’t look like themselves.”
Dylan Cozens had the lone goal, his second of the year. Blueliner Rasmus Dahlin extended his points streak to six with a helper, but his historic goal streak obviously ended. Eric Comrie allowed five goals on 24 shots, so it could be Craig Anderson’s turn Thursday. Buffalo is 8-0 in its past eight after scoring two goals or fewer in its previous game.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Canadiens vs. Sabres?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 26 Oct 9:36pm | MON | -1.5 +148 | O +6.5 -125 |
| Closing 27 Oct 9:06pm | MON | -1.5 +131 | O +6.5 -130 |
- Regular Season
Canadiens Team Leaders
| Points |
40 |
| + / - |
4 |
| Shots |
158 |
| Penalty Mins |
92 |
| Wins |
10 |
| GAA |
3 |
| Points |
68 |
| + / - |
19 |
| Shots |
200 |
| Penalty Mins |
64 |
| Wins |
13 |
| GAA |
2.73 |
- Regular Season
Sabres Team Leaders
| Points |
40 |
| + / - |
4 |
| Shots |
158 |
| Penalty Mins |
92 |
| Wins |
10 |
| GAA |
3 |
| Points |
68 |
| + / - |
19 |
| Shots |
200 |
| Penalty Mins |
64 |
| Wins |
13 |
| GAA |
2.73 |
Injuries
Joel Edmundson (D)
Cole Caufield (RW)
Joel Armia (RW)
Jonathan Drouin (LW)
Juraj Slafkovsky (LW)
Jake Evans (C)
Jake Allen (G)
Brendan Gallagher (RW)
Kaiden Guhle (D)
Mike Matheson (D)
Dylan Cozens (C)
Dylan Cozens (C)
Mattias Samuelsson (D)
Zemgus Girgensons (LW)
Jacob Bryson (D)
Kyle Okposo (RW)
Owen Power (D)
Henri Jokiharju (D)
Jeff Skinner (LW)
Vinnie Hinostroza (LW)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joel Edmundson (D) | Ques Feb 11 | Upper Body - 26 / 01 / 23 | 1-2 | 1-1-1 | + - |
|
Edmundson has missed the previous two games due to an upper-body injury, and it is not yet confirmed if he will be available against the Islanders on February 11. |
|||||
| Cole Caufield (RW) | out for season | Shoulder - 21 / 01 / 23 | 2-3 | 2-2-1 | + - |
|
Caufield is awaiting surgery for a right shoulder injury, and he is forecasted to miss the rest of the season. |
|||||
| Joel Armia (RW) | Mid Feb | Upper Body - 17 / 01 / 23 | 4-3 | 2-4-1 | + - |
|
Armia has wound up on the injured reserve list due to an upper-body issue, and he is not expected to return before the All-Star break at the soonest. |
|||||
| Jonathan Drouin (LW) | Mid Feb | Upper Body - 17 / 01 / 23 | 4-3 | 2-4-1 | + - |
|
Drouin has been designated to injured reserve with an upper-body injury, and he is not expected to return until the middle of February at the earliest. |
|||||
| Juraj Slafkovsky (LW) | Mid April | Lower Body - 15 / 01 / 23 | 5-3 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
Slafkovsky has been shifted to the injured reserve list with a lower-body ailment, and he is not expected to return for at least three months. |
|||||
| Jake Evans (C) | Mid March | Lower Body - 14 / 01 / 23 | 6-3 | 3-5-1 | + - |
|
Evans has hit the injured reserve list with a lower-body injury, and he will remain sidelined for at least eight to 10 weeks. |
|||||
| Jake Allen (G) | Ques Thurs | Upper Body - 09 / 01 / 23 | 7-4 | 4-6-1 | + - |
|
Allen has been sidelined with an upper-body injury, and it is up in the air if he will suit up Thursday against the Red Wings. |
|||||
| Brendan Gallagher (RW) | Late Feb | Lower Body - 05 / 01 / 23 | 7-6 | 5-7-1 | + - |
|
Gallagher has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a lower-body injury and is likely to be sidelined for at least six weeks. |
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| Kaiden Guhle (D) | Early March | Leg - 30 / 12 / 22 | 7-8 | 7-7-1 | + - |
|
Guhle has landed on the injured reserve list with a leg injury, and he is expected to miss eight weeks. |
|||||
| Mike Matheson (D) | Prob Tues | Lower Body - 19 / 12 / 22 | 9-11 | 7-10-3 | + - |
|
Matheson has been assigned to the injured reserve list with a lower-body injury, but he is likely to be available for Tuesday's clash with the Jets. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dylan Cozens (C) | Prob Wed | Undisclosed - 28 / 01 / 23 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Cozens missed the previous game with an undetermined ailment, but it is not expected to affect his status for Wednesday's clash against the Hurricanes. |
|||||
| Dylan Cozens (C) | day-to-day | Undisclosed - 26 / 01 / 23 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Cozens exited Thursday's contest with an undetermined ailment, and it is uncertain whether he will return to the ice. |
|||||
| Mattias Samuelsson (D) | Prob Wed | Lower Body - 26 / 01 / 23 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Samuelsson missed the previous two games on account of a lower-body injury, but it is projected that he will suit up against the Hurricanes on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Zemgus Girgensons (LW) | Prob Mon | Illness - 13 / 01 / 23 | 6-4 | 4-6 | + - |
|
Girgensons sat out the previous game with an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Monday's matchup against the Panthers. |
|||||
| Jacob Bryson (D) | Prob Thurs | Lower Body - 15 / 12 / 22 | 14-7 | 10-11 | + - |
|
Bryson has landed on the injured reserve list due to a lower-body ailment, but it is projected that he will suit up for Thursday's tilt with the Red Wings. |
|||||
| Kyle Okposo (RW) | Ques Sat | Lower Body - 15 / 12 / 22 | 14-7 | 10-11 | + - |
|
Okposo was held out of the previous game with a lower-body injury, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up for Saturday's showdown versus the Coyotes. |
|||||
| Owen Power (D) | Prob Thurs | Lower Body - 15 / 12 / 22 | 14-7 | 10-11 | + - |
|
Power has been sidelined due to a lower-body injury, but he is expected to make his return against the Red Wings on Thursday. |
|||||
| Henri Jokiharju (D) | Out indefinitely | Lower Body - 10 / 12 / 22 | 15-8 | 10-12-1 | + - |
|
Jokiharju has wound up on the injured reserve list with a lower-body ailment, and there is no timetable for his return. |
|||||
| Jeff Skinner (LW) | Elig Sat | Poss. Suspension - 10 / 12 / 22 | 15-8 | 10-12-1 | + - |
|
Skinner is serving a three-game suspension for cross checking, and he will not be eligible to return until Saturday versus the Coyotes. |
|||||
| Vinnie Hinostroza (LW) | Prob Thurs | Undisclosed - 04 / 12 / 22 | 17-9 | 13-12-1 | + - |
|
Hinostroza has landed on the injured reserve list with an unknown injury, but he is likely to be activated prior to Thursday's contest versus the Avalanche. |
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-
MONTREAL CANADIENS
2 -
BUFFALO SABRES
4
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 26 Oct 9:36pm MON -1.5 +148 O +6.5 -125 Closing 27 Oct 9:06pm MON -1.5 +131 O +6.5 -130 -
- Regular Season
Canadiens Team Leaders
Points 40
+ / - 4
Shots 158
Penalty Mins 92
Wins 10
GAA 3
Points 68
+ / - 19
Shots 200
Penalty Mins 64
Wins 13
GAA 2.73
-
- Regular Season
Sabres Team Leaders
Points 40
+ / - 4
Shots 158
Penalty Mins 92
Wins 10
GAA 3
Points 68
+ / - 19
Shots 200
Penalty Mins 64
Wins 13
GAA 2.73
-
Injuries
Joel Edmundson (D)
Ques Feb 11 Upper Body - 26 / 01 / 23Cole Caufield (RW)
out for season Shoulder - 21 / 01 / 23Joel Armia (RW)
Mid Feb Upper Body - 17 / 01 / 23Jonathan Drouin (LW)
Mid Feb Upper Body - 17 / 01 / 23Juraj Slafkovsky (LW)
Mid April Lower Body - 15 / 01 / 23Jake Evans (C)
Mid March Lower Body - 14 / 01 / 23Jake Allen (G)
Ques Thurs Upper Body - 09 / 01 / 23Brendan Gallagher (RW)
Late Feb Lower Body - 05 / 01 / 23Kaiden Guhle (D)
Early March Leg - 30 / 12 / 22Mike Matheson (D)
Prob Tues Lower Body - 19 / 12 / 22Dylan Cozens (C)
Prob Wed Undisclosed - 28 / 01 / 23Dylan Cozens (C)
day-to-day Undisclosed - 26 / 01 / 23Mattias Samuelsson (D)
Prob Wed Lower Body - 26 / 01 / 23Zemgus Girgensons (LW)
Prob Mon Illness - 13 / 01 / 23Jacob Bryson (D)
Prob Thurs Lower Body - 15 / 12 / 22Kyle Okposo (RW)
Ques Sat Lower Body - 15 / 12 / 22Owen Power (D)
Prob Thurs Lower Body - 15 / 12 / 22Henri Jokiharju (D)
Out indefinitely Lower Body - 10 / 12 / 22Jeff Skinner (LW)
Elig Sat Poss. Suspension - 10 / 12 / 22Vinnie Hinostroza (LW)
Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 04 / 12 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Joel Edmundson (D) Ques Feb 11 Upper Body - 26 / 01 / 23 1-2 1-1-1 + - Edmundson has missed the previous two games due to an upper-body injury, and it is not yet confirmed if he will be available against the Islanders on February 11.
Cole Caufield (RW) out for season Shoulder - 21 / 01 / 23 2-3 2-2-1 + - Caufield is awaiting surgery for a right shoulder injury, and he is forecasted to miss the rest of the season.
Joel Armia (RW) Mid Feb Upper Body - 17 / 01 / 23 4-3 2-4-1 + - Armia has wound up on the injured reserve list due to an upper-body issue, and he is not expected to return before the All-Star break at the soonest.
Jonathan Drouin (LW) Mid Feb Upper Body - 17 / 01 / 23 4-3 2-4-1 + - Drouin has been designated to injured reserve with an upper-body injury, and he is not expected to return until the middle of February at the earliest.
Juraj Slafkovsky (LW) Mid April Lower Body - 15 / 01 / 23 5-3 2-5-1 + - Slafkovsky has been shifted to the injured reserve list with a lower-body ailment, and he is not expected to return for at least three months.
Jake Evans (C) Mid March Lower Body - 14 / 01 / 23 6-3 3-5-1 + - Evans has hit the injured reserve list with a lower-body injury, and he will remain sidelined for at least eight to 10 weeks.
Jake Allen (G) Ques Thurs Upper Body - 09 / 01 / 23 7-4 4-6-1 + - Allen has been sidelined with an upper-body injury, and it is up in the air if he will suit up Thursday against the Red Wings.
Brendan Gallagher (RW) Late Feb Lower Body - 05 / 01 / 23 7-6 5-7-1 + - Gallagher has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a lower-body injury and is likely to be sidelined for at least six weeks.
Kaiden Guhle (D) Early March Leg - 30 / 12 / 22 7-8 7-7-1 + - Guhle has landed on the injured reserve list with a leg injury, and he is expected to miss eight weeks.
Mike Matheson (D) Prob Tues Lower Body - 19 / 12 / 22 9-11 7-10-3 + - Matheson has been assigned to the injured reserve list with a lower-body injury, but he is likely to be available for Tuesday's clash with the Jets.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Dylan Cozens (C) Prob Wed Undisclosed - 28 / 01 / 23 2-0 0-2 + - Cozens missed the previous game with an undetermined ailment, but it is not expected to affect his status for Wednesday's clash against the Hurricanes.
Dylan Cozens (C) day-to-day Undisclosed - 26 / 01 / 23 3-0 1-2 + - Cozens exited Thursday's contest with an undetermined ailment, and it is uncertain whether he will return to the ice.
Mattias Samuelsson (D) Prob Wed Lower Body - 26 / 01 / 23 3-0 1-2 + - Samuelsson missed the previous two games on account of a lower-body injury, but it is projected that he will suit up against the Hurricanes on Wednesday.
Zemgus Girgensons (LW) Prob Mon Illness - 13 / 01 / 23 6-4 4-6 + - Girgensons sat out the previous game with an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Monday's matchup against the Panthers.
Jacob Bryson (D) Prob Thurs Lower Body - 15 / 12 / 22 14-7 10-11 + - Bryson has landed on the injured reserve list due to a lower-body ailment, but it is projected that he will suit up for Thursday's tilt with the Red Wings.
Kyle Okposo (RW) Ques Sat Lower Body - 15 / 12 / 22 14-7 10-11 + - Okposo was held out of the previous game with a lower-body injury, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up for Saturday's showdown versus the Coyotes.
Owen Power (D) Prob Thurs Lower Body - 15 / 12 / 22 14-7 10-11 + - Power has been sidelined due to a lower-body injury, but he is expected to make his return against the Red Wings on Thursday.
Henri Jokiharju (D) Out indefinitely Lower Body - 10 / 12 / 22 15-8 10-12-1 + - Jokiharju has wound up on the injured reserve list with a lower-body ailment, and there is no timetable for his return.
Jeff Skinner (LW) Elig Sat Poss. Suspension - 10 / 12 / 22 15-8 10-12-1 + - Skinner is serving a three-game suspension for cross checking, and he will not be eligible to return until Saturday versus the Coyotes.
Vinnie Hinostroza (LW) Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 04 / 12 / 22 17-9 13-12-1 + - Hinostroza has landed on the injured reserve list with an unknown injury, but he is likely to be activated prior to Thursday's contest versus the Avalanche.