- The Sabres are a -1.5 goal favorite vs. the Canadiens
- Canadiens vs. Sabres Total (Over/Under): 6.5 goals
- TV Channel: MSGB | NHL | TVA | RSNE
The Montreal Canadiens (30-17) visit KeyBank Center to take on the Buffalo Sabres (31-17) on Jan. 31 in Buffalo, NY. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
The Sabres are betting favorites in this NHL hockey matchup, with the puck line sitting at -1.5 (+185).
The Canadiens vs. Sabres Over/Under is 6.5 total goals.
Canadiens vs. Sabres Odds, Spread, Over/Under:
| Spread (Puck line) | Total (O/U) | Moneyline | |
| Canadiens | +1.5 -225 | 6.5 +100 | +105 |
| Sabres | -1.5 +185 | 6.5 -120 | -120 |
Canadiens vs Sabres Prediction:
The winning team model predicts the Sabres will win this game with 63.1% confidence, based on game simulations, offensive and defensive matchups, and recent game results.
Canadiens vs Sabres Spread Prediction:
Based on recent against-the-spread trends, the model predicts the Canadiens will cover the spread with 53.4% confidence.
This prediction against the spread factors in ATS performance for both teams, opening and current betting lines, plus public and sharp money already wagered on this matchup.
NHL Odds at the BetMGM Sportsbook
Canadiens Best Bets & Trends
- The Montreal Canadiens have covered the Puck Line in 19 of their last 25 games (+15.30 Units / 36% ROI)
- The Montreal Canadiens have hit the Game Total Over in 14 of their last 20 away games (+7.60 Units / 35% ROI)
- The Montreal Canadiens have hit the 2P Game Total Over in 7 of their last 13 games (+6.05 Units / 42% ROI)
- The Montreal Canadiens have covered the 2P Puck Line in 13 of their last 20 games (+5.50 Units / 18% ROI)
- The Montreal Canadiens have hit the 2P Moneyline in 9 of their last 20 games (+4.85 Units / 20% ROI)
Sabres Best Bets & Trends
- The Buffalo Sabres have covered the Puck Line in 19 of their last 25 games (+19.40 Units / 55% ROI)
- The Buffalo Sabres have hit the Moneyline in 20 of their last 25 games (+16.60 Units / 56% ROI)
- The Buffalo Sabres have covered the 2P Puck Line in 19 of their last 25 games (+16.55 Units / 50% ROI)
- The Buffalo Sabres have covered the 1P Puck Line in 11 of their last 13 games (+11.65 Units / 60% ROI)
- The Buffalo Sabres have hit the 2P Moneyline in 14 of their last 25 games (+11.60 Units / 39% ROI)
Canadiens Against the Spread (ATS) Record
Canadiens are 31-23 against the spread this NHL season (+6.4 Units / 7.32% ROI).
- Canadiens are 30-24 when betting on the Moneyline for +4.65 Units /7.27% ROI
- Canadiens are 33-19 when betting the Over for +11.9 Units / 20.02% ROI
- Canadiens are 19-33 when betting the Under for -17.85 Units /-29.9% ROI
Sabres Against the Spread (ATS) Record
Sabres are 31-22 against the spread this NHL season (+10 Units /12.49% ROI).
- Sabres are 31-22 when betting on the Moneyline for +10.65 Units / 17.39% ROI
- Sabres are 25-25 when betting the Over for -2.1 Units / -3.59% ROI
- Sabres are 25-25 when betting the Under for -2.45 Units / -4.18% ROI
Anytime Goal Scorer Predictions for for Sabres vs Canadiens
| Player Name | Odds to Score a Goal |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson (Buf) | +125 |
| Cole Caufield (MTL) | +145 |
| Alex Tuch (BUF) | +200 |
| Nick Suzuki (MTL) | +220 |
| Jason Zucker (BUF) | +250 |
| Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL) | +260 |
Points Per Game Predictions for Sabres vs Canadiens
| Player Name | Over | Under |
|---|---|---|
| Owen Power (BUF) | 0.5 +175 | 0.5 -235 |
| Noah Ostlund (BUF) | 0.5 +150 | 0.5 -200 |
| Noah Dobson (MTL) | 0.5 +160 | 0.5 -220 |
| Nick Suzuki (MTL) | 0.5 -250 | 0.5 +180 |
| Lane Hutson (MTL) | 0.5 -175 | 0.5 +130 |
Shots on Goal Predictions for Sabres vs Canadiens
| Player Name | Over | Under |
|---|---|---|
| Owen Power (BUF) | 1.5 +120 | 1.5 -160 |
| Noah Dobson (MTL) | 1.5 -130 | 1.5 -105 |
| Nick Suzuki (MTL) | 1.5 -190 | 1.5 +135 |
| Lane Hutson (MTL) | 1.5 -110 | 1.5 -120 |
| Cole Caufield (MTL) | 2.5 -185 | 2.5 +130 |
Canadiens: Keys to the Game vs. Sabres
The Canadiens are 98-117 (.456) since the start of the 2023-24 season — 8th lowest among NHL Teams; League Avg: .500
The Canadiens are 29-24 (.547) this season — 10th best among NHL Teams; League Avg: .500
The Canadiens are 47-4 (.922) when allowing 2 or fewer non-shootout goals since the start of the 2024-25 season — 2nd best among NHL Teams; League Avg: .845
The Canadiens are 17-8 (.680) when scoring a power play goal this season — 7th best among NHL Teams; League Avg: .586
Sabres: Keys to the Game vs. Canadiens
The Sabres are 31-21 (.596) this season — 4th best among NHL Teams; League Avg: .500
The Sabres were 34-45 (.430) last season — 9th lowest among NHL Teams; League Avg: .500
The Sabres are 20-7 (.741) when having 3 or more xG. this season — 4th best among NHL Teams; League Avg: .590
The Sabres are 16-6 (.727) when scoring a power play goal this season — 2nd best among NHL Teams; League Avg: .586
Canadiens Offensive Stats & Trends
The Canadiens have 0.4 rush chances per game on the power play since the start of the 2024-25 season — tied for 2nd best among NHL Teams; League Avg: 0.3
The Canadiens have 3.4 points per game while tied this season — best among NHL Teams; League Avg: 2.7
The Canadiens have scored on 7% of cycle chances while leading since the start of the 2024-25 season — tied for lowest among NHL Teams; League Avg: 10%
The Canadiens have averaged 0.88 expected goals per game in the third period this season — tied for lowest among NHL Teams; League Avg: 1.03
Sabres Offensive Stats & Trends
The Sabres had 5 forecheck chances in 4v4 situations last season — tied for most among NHL Teams
The Sabres have scored on 12% of cycle chances this season — tied for best among NHL Teams; League Avg: 9%
The Sabres have 6 inner slot shots while shorthanded this month — most among NHL Teams
The Sabres had 19 cycle chances in 4v4 situations last season — most among NHL Teams
Canadiens Defensive Stats & Trends
The Canadiens allowed 2.4 rush chances per game in the third period last season — tied for highest among NHL Teams; League Avg: 1.9
The Canadiens allowed opponents to score on 31% of rush chances in overtime last season — highest among NHL Teams; League Avg: 13%
The Canadiens have allowed 5 second chance scoring opportunities in 4v4 situations this season — tied for most among NHL Teams
The Canadiens have allowed 0.2 high danger chances per game while their opponent is shorthanded this season — tied for best among NHL Teams; League Avg: 0.4
Sabres Defensive Stats & Trends
The Sabres have allowed 0.8 goals per game in the second period this season — tied for best among NHL Teams; League Avg: 1.0
The Sabres allowed 1.3 goals per game in the second period last season — tied for 2nd highest among NHL Teams; League Avg: 1.0
The Sabres have allowed 0.0 goals per game while their opponent is shorthanded this season — tied for best among NHL Teams; League Avg: 0.1
The Sabres had a .887 save percentage last season — 2nd lowest among NHL Teams; League Avg: .901
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