In a game that features two teams currently on losing skids, the Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens take the ice at Bell Centre in an Atlantic Division showdown. Sportsnet will broadcast the game, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 25.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Odds
The Canadiens are 8-15 straight up (SU) and have recorded -9.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a big slide from what the team managed during the 2016-17 season (47-35). Through 23 regular season outings, 11 of its games have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the teams 4-7 SU at home.
Montreal has converted on just 14.6 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that puts the team in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 28th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.3 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Montreal has been penalized 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 5.2 per game over its last five contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties for 12.8 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
Boasting a .877 save percentage and 25.3 saves per game, Carey Price (3-8-1) has been the primary option in goal for the Canadiens this season. If they decide to give him a rest, however, the team could turn to Charlie Lindgren (3-5-5 record, .924 save percentage, 2.43 goals against average).
Brendan Gallagher and Jonathan Drouin will each be focal points for the Canadiens. Gallagher (14 points) is up to nine goals and five assists and has recorded two or more points three times this year. Drouin has three goals and 10 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 10 contests.
Buffalo is 5-17 straight up (SU) and has lost 12.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 10 of its contests have gone over the total, while another 10 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the away team so far, Buffalo is 3-9 SU.
Buffalo has converted on just 14.3 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 12th overall and it’s successfully defended 81.8 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo’s skaters have been penalized only 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 4.2 per game over their past five games. The teams been forced to kill penalties just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner (.902 save percentage and 3.08 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Buffalo. Lehner is averaging 24.3 saves per game and owns a 4-12-2 record.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Sabres will be Evander Kane (12 goals, nine assists) and Jack Eichel (six goals, 12 assists).
Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in three of Montreal’s last five outings.
- Buffalo has managed 29.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Montreal is averaging 33.8 shots per game over its last five at home.
- The Sabres are 2-6 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 5-12 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- Montreal has forced 5.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a drop-off from its season average of 5.9 takeaways per game (ranked 25th overall).
- Buffalo has scored just 2.0 goals per game (while giving up 3.6) over its seven-game losing streak.
- Buffalo has managed 3.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 5.4 takeaways per game (ranked 26th overall).
