Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Thursday, Jan. 04

We have your Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Buffalo Sabres hit the road to face the Montreal Canadiens.

The Buffalo Sabres (15-19-4) are set to face off against the Montreal Canadiens (16-16-5) in what promises to be an intriguing Eastern Conference matchup. With both teams looking to climb the standings, this game could be a critical point in their seasons.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Odds Info

Moneyline: Buffalo Sabres -139 (BetRivers) / Montreal Canadiens +120 (DraftKings)

Puck Line: +1.5 – Buffalo Sabres +170 (BetRivers) / Montreal Canadiens -205 (DraftKings)

Total: 6.5 – +105 (DraftKings) / -120 (BetRivers)

Game Info

Date: Thursday, Jan. 04

Time: 07:00 PM

Location: Bell Centre – Montreal, QC

TV: ESPN+

Buffalo Sabres Betting Trends

• On the road this season, the Buffalo Sabres have 7 wins and 13 losses.
• As the favorite this season, the Buffalo Sabres have 7 wins and 5 losses.
• This season, the Buffalo Sabres have hit 16 overs and 22 unders.

Montreal Canadiens Betting Trends

• At home this season, the Montreal Canadiens have 7 wins and 11 losses.
• As the underdog this season, the Montreal Canadiens have 13 wins and 21 losses.
• This season, the Montreal Canadiens have hit 19 overs and 18 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the last two seasons, the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres have faced off five times, with the Canadiens emerging victorious in four of those encounters. These matchups have been characterized by the success of the visiting team, which has won all five games. When it comes to betting statistics, Montreal has consistently outperformed expectations, covering the spread in four out of the five games, while Buffalo has only managed to do so once. The over/under betting results have been evenly split, with the total score going over the predicted line twice and staying under three times. The games have seen a range of final score spreads, from a close one-point difference to a more decisive five-point gap. The Canadiens have shown a strong win percentage in these games, with their goaltending performance being particularly notable, as evidenced by high save percentages in several matches. The Sabres, on the other hand, have had varied results, with their only win against the Canadiens coming in the most recent game, which was decided by a shootout.

The most recent game between the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres took place on December 9, 2023, and ended in a 2-2 tie after regulation and overtime. The Canadiens initially took the lead with two goals in the second period, scored by Jayden Struble and Nick Suzuki. However, the Sabres rallied back in the third period with goals from Jeff Skinner and Kyle Okposo, pushing the game into a shootout. The shootout saw goals from Victor Olofsson, Cole Caufield, Owen Power, Jesse Ylönen, and Juraj Slafkovsky, with the Sabres ultimately securing a 3-2 victory. Key statistics from this game include the Canadiens’ 31 shots on goal and a faceoff win percentage of 56.6%, while the Sabres dominated with 48 shots on goal. The goaltending performances were also noteworthy, with Cayden Primeau of the Canadiens saving 46 out of 48 shots for a save percentage of 0.958, and Devon Levi of the Sabres making 29 saves on 31 shots for a save percentage of 0.935.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Predictions

The Buffalo Sabres head into the Bell Centre with a recent game history that’s been a mixed bag, currently on a 1-game losing streak. They’ll be leaning on their top scorer, Casey Mittelstadt, who leads the team with 31 points, to spark their offense against the Canadiens. The Sabres have been struggling defensively, ranking near the bottom of the league, which could be an area the Canadiens exploit. However, Buffalo’s road record suggests they can be resilient away from home.

Montreal, on the other hand, is coming off a win and will look to build on that momentum. Nick Suzuki, leading the team with 34 points, has been a bright spot for the Canadiens this season. The team’s overall performance has been inconsistent, but playing at home at the Bell Centre could provide the boost they need. The Canadiens have shown they can squeeze out more points than expected, especially against teams like Buffalo, who they’ve historically had success against in recent matchups.

Key player matchups to watch include the goaltenders, with Montreal’s Cayden Primeau and Buffalo’s Devon Levi expected to be critical factors in the outcome. Both teams will be looking to their special teams to make a difference, with power plays and penalty kills potentially tipping the scales. As both teams vie for a much-needed win, it will come down to which team can capitalize on their opportunities and minimize mistakes.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Pick

The Buffalo Sabres have shown resilience on the road, and despite their recent loss, they have the offensive capabilities to challenge the Montreal Canadiens. With Casey Mittelstadt leading the team in points, the Sabres have the potential to exploit the Canadiens’ inconsistencies. The recent head-to-head history favors the visiting team, and the Sabres’ victory in the latest shootout against the Canadiens could provide a psychological edge. Additionally, the Sabres’ goaltender, Devon Levi, has demonstrated the ability to perform under pressure, which could be pivotal in a game that’s likely to be closely contested.

Montreal’s fluctuating performance and the Sabres’ historical success in recent matchups suggest that Buffalo could come out on top. While the Canadiens have the home-ice advantage and are coming off a win, the Sabres’ need to bounce back from their losing streak could serve as a strong motivator. Considering the odds and the fact that the Sabres have covered the spread in their last encounter, a moneyline bet on Buffalo is a calculated risk worth taking. The Sabres’ ability to rise to the occasion away from home, coupled with their determination to climb the standings, makes them the right pick for this game.

The Pick: Buffalo Sabres -139 (BetRivers)

Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Picks

Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.

Buffalo Sabres

Montreal Canadiens