Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
It’s a battle of NHL cellar dwellers on Sunday afternoon in Montreal as the Canadiens play host to the Buffalo Sabres. Even a new coach couldn’t help the Habs avoid their ninth straight loss as they fell to Columbus, 2-1 at home on Saturday. The Sabres have been off since Thursday when they also fell against Columbus, 4-3 in overtime at home.
This game opened as a pick’em on the NHL odds.
Sabres vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
It’s the third meeting of the season between these two teams. Buffalo won 5-1 on Oct. 14 and 4-1 on Nov. 26, with both wins coming at home.
The Sabres have lost four of their last five games, but they’ve managed to win six of their last eight games against Montreal. They’re a healthy 27-19 against the spread for the season, including 13-10 ATS on the road. The total has gone Under in six of Buffalo’s last seven road games.
Montreal’s overall losing streak is up to nine games, while their home losing streak is at six. They’ve been a brutal cover option, going 19-28 ATS overall and 8-14 ATS at home. The total has gone Over in six of the Canadiens’ last seven games.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres didn’t last long in overtime on Thursday as Jakub Voracek beat Dustin Tokarski just 16 seconds into the extra period. Buffalo actually led 2-1 entering the third period and dropped to 10-3-6 when leading after two. Tokarski made 30 saves in the game. Rasmus Dahlin, Kyle Okposo and Alex Tuch recorded goals for the Sabres. It was Tuch’s sixth goal in 14 games since being acquired by Buffalo as part of the Jack Eichel trade. Tage Thompson picked up two assists and now leads the team in scoring with 32 points (14G, 18A). Jeff Skinner is second with 29 points, including a team-high 16 goals.
With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen still out of the lineup because of a lower-body injury, Craig Anderson will get the start in Montreal. Anderson, who has had his own injury issues this season, has a 5-3-0 record with a 2.62 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. Luukkonen has missed the last 10 games, but he could be in line to return to the lineup by Tuesday.
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal was 6.5 seconds away from at least picking up a point for new coach Martin St. Louis, before Patrik Laine’s power-play goal beat Sam Montembeault, who finished the day with 40 saves. St. Louis, taking over from the fired Dominique Ducharme, has no previous professional coaching experience and will have his hands full with a Habs team on pace for the worst statistical season in NHL history. Rookie Cole Caufield’s third goal of the season was the only puck to find the back of the net against Columbus. Caufield has struggled in his first campaign, recording just 10 points in 32 games. Nick Suzuki leads the team with 28 points (9G, 19A). No player has been able to reach double-digit goals for the Canadiens yet, this season.
With Jake Allen and Carey Price still dealing with significant injuries, Montreal shook up their goaltending situation and traded for Andrew Hammond, who had been playing in Iowa City for Minnesota’s farm team. It’s unclear when Hammond will make his debut, but Cayden Primeau was sent down to the AHL to make room for Hammond on the roster. Hammond has a 6-2-3 record in the AHL this season, with a 2.44 GAA and .908 SV. It won’t get any easier for Hammond in Montreal, as the Habs have given up a league-high 184 goals this season.
BUF
MON