Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, Picks & Odds | 22 Jan 2026

NHL Betting Preview: Sabres vs Canadiens

The Buffalo Sabres meet the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre, with face-off scheduled for 19:00 on Thursday, January 22.

We think that the Canadiens should prove too strong for the Sabres. Therefore, it’s all about going to the Moneyline to back the home team and there’s lots of juice in the -139 available.

Backing Habs for the win? Make sure you’ve got the new BetMGM promo code and our comprehensive site review in your corner before making your move.

Buffalo Sabres won their previous game by a 5-3 scoreline. It was on the road against Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Noah Oestlund bagged two goals, while Tage Thompson, Konsta Helenius and Peyton Krebs scored once.

Montreal Canadiens made it back-to-back wins in their last game. Landing a 4-3 home victory against Minnesota Wild at Bell Centre. The goals were shared around between four players including Cole Caufield.

Head-to-Head Statistics

The Sabres won the last encounter between the pair. Enjoying a 5-3 triumph when facing the Habs at KeyBank Center. In the past 10 H2H meetings, the Habs have won seven.

Starting Goalies

Alex Lyon (Expected)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	11-6-3	2.9	.907	1
23/24	21-18-4	3.05	.904	2

Sam Montembeault (Expected)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	9-6-2	3.5	.873	0
23/24	16-15-9	3.14	.903	0

6 wins, 3 losses and 1 overtime loss, averaging 3.9 goals from 24.5 shots on goal, with a 14.6% powerplay efficiency. The Sabres have given up 3.2 goals from 31.6 shots, averaging 3.8 penalties with a penalty-killing efficiency of 81.6%.

Tage Thompson is the top points scorer with 14 points, 6 goals and 8 assists, with Alex Tuch recording 9 points, 5 goals and 4 assists, in the past 10 games. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have a 3.18 goal against average with a .901 save percentage.

The Habs have 6 wins, 3 losses and 1 overtime loss, averaging 3.5 goals from 27.7 shots on goal, with a 15.0% powerplay efficiency. They have conceded 3.1 goals from 27.1 shots, averaging 4.4 penalties per game with a penalty-killing efficiency of 84.1%.

The top points scorer is Lane Hutson with 12 points, 3 goals and 9 assists, while Juraj Slafkovsky is next best after having 10 points, 5 goals and 5 assists. Goalie Sam Montembeault have a 3.15 GAA with a .900 SV%.

Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction & Picks

We’ve broken down Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens from every angle, offering our expert match prediction, expected final score, best player prop recommendations and a well-constructed bet builder.

Game Prediction

Montreal Canadiens should have the edge over their opponents and our pick is to side with them on the Moneyline. There is a tempting -139 for the home team to win this NHL encounter.

The formbook is always a smart starting point when making hockey picks. Up-to-date NHL team news is just as important, while the stats we provide often reveal valuable insights.

Key Sabres vs Canadiens stats:

• Canadiens have won 4 of their last 5 games at home.
• Canadiens have won 7 of their last 10 games at home.
• Canadiens have won 2 consecutive games.
• Canadiens have won 7 of their last 10 games against Sabres.

Canadiens Moneyline Probability

The top betting apps are estimating that there is a 58.1% likelihood of this pick winning. Taking all factors into consideration, our cappers think there’s a stronger chance of success and have a probability interval between 65-70%. The wager can be recommended for this precise reason.

Those who are looking for more value when backing Montreal should consider the Puck Line. Place a wager on them to cover the spread that makes the most appeal at the odds.

Top up your wagering strategy by unlocking the top betting offers including free bets, promos, and sign-up deals.

Our Game Prediction

Canadiens Moneyline @ -139 Bet Now

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Disclosure: This preview contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. T&Cs apply. We only recommend licensed and regulated operators. See our Editorial Policy. Pick odds and lines reflect the price available at the time of publication (23:56, 21 January 2026). Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Player Prop Picks

Top Pick: Jack Quinn Over 1.5 Shots -164

Jack Quinn (Sabres) has recorded Over 1.5 shots on goal in 8 of the past 10 games. We recommend backing the -164 that he is able to cover the line, with this Shots on Goal wager hopefully providing a return.

Latest Jack Quinn Player Prop Odds

Goals

Anytime

+340

First

+2000

Assists

Over 0.5

+240

Under 0.5

-345

Shots on Goal

Over 1.5

-164

Under 1.5

+120

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Correct Score Prediction

Sabres 2 - 3 Canadiens

A potentially entertaining bet is going for the Canadiens to win by a 3-2 scoreline. At odds of +850, there’s the chance to get a handsome return should this wager win.

Latest Correct Score Odds

Score

Sabres

Canadiens

1-0

Sabres

+6000

Canadiens

+6000

2-0

Sabres

+5500

Canadiens

+5000

2-1

Sabres

+1700

Canadiens

+1500

3-0

Sabres

+4000

Canadiens

+3300

3-1

Sabres

+2200

Canadiens

+1900

3-2

Sabres

+950

Canadiens

+850

4-0

Sabres

+5500

Canadiens

+4000

4-1

Sabres

+2000

Canadiens

+1500

4-2

Sabres

+1700

Canadiens

+1400

4-3

Sabres

+1050

Canadiens

+950

5-0

Sabres

+9000

Canadiens

+6600

5-1

Sabres

+3300

Canadiens

+2200

5-2

Sabres

+2000

Canadiens

+1500

5-3

Sabres

+2400

Canadiens

+2000

5-4

Sabres

+1900

Canadiens

+1700

6-0

Sabres

+14000

Canadiens

+9000

6-1

Sabres

+7500

Canadiens

+5000

6-2

Sabres

+4000

Canadiens

+2500

6-3

Sabres

+3300

Canadiens

+2500

6-4

Sabres

+4500

Canadiens

+4000

6-5

Sabres

+4500

Canadiens

+4000

7-0

Sabres

+4500

Canadiens

+14000

7-1

Sabres

+12500

Canadiens

+8000

7-2

Sabres

+10000

Canadiens

+6600

7-3

Sabres

+6600

Canadiens

+4500

7-4

Sabres

+6600

Canadiens

+5500

7-5

Sabres

+10000

Canadiens

+9000

7-6

Sabres

+10000

Canadiens

+10000

8-1

Sabres

+10000

Canadiens

+13000

8-2

Sabres

+10000

Canadiens

+11000

8-3

Sabres

+10000

Canadiens

+11000

8-4

Sabres

+12000

Canadiens

+10000

8-5

Sabres

+14000

Canadiens

+12000

View More

Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Odds

The odds and lines are updated on a frequent basis. You might therefore find that they are different to the ones listed for the above betting predictions.

With the sportsbooks giving them a 58% probability of winning this game, Montreal Canadiens might be a popular parlay pick. That is reflected in their -139 Moneyline betting odds. The market suggests that Buffalo Sabres are least likely to win at +115.

1.5 is the puck line and 6.5 is the total goals line. Hockey fans love the chance to get an alternative angle by going for a Totals wager. If you're keen on Over 6.5, this selection is available at -110.

Whether you're placing bets before the puck drops or during the live action, the top betting sites offer hundreds of game lines and team props to explore. The sheer variety means there's no shortage of options to match your strategy.

Moneyline

Sabres

+115

Canadiens

-139

3-Way Moneyline

Sabres

+188

Tie

+320

Canadiens

+115

Puck Line

Sabres +1.5

-196

Canadiens -1.5

+158

Total Goals

Under 6.5

-110

Over 6.5

-110

There’s the chance to back Cole Caufield at +1000 to be the First Goalscorer. He’s the favorite and available at similar odds to find the net last instead.

Player Goals

Cole Caufield (Canadiens)

First

+145

Anytime

+1000

Tage Thompson (Sabres)

First

+165

Anytime

+1100

Nick Suzuki (Canadiens)

First

+185

Anytime

+1300

Alex Tuch (Sabres)

First

+225

Anytime

+1500

Juraj Slafkovsky (Canadiens)

First

+225

Anytime

+1700

Jason Zucker (Sabres)

First

+260

Anytime

+1700

Josh Doan (Sabres)

First

+270

Anytime

+1800

Ivan Demidov (Canadiens)

First

+290

Anytime

+2000

Kirby Dach (Canadiens)

First

+290

Anytime

+2000

Oliver Kapanen (Canadiens)

First

+310

Anytime

+1900

Jack Quinn (Sabres)

First

+340

Anytime

+2000

Noah Östlund (Sabres)

First

+340

Anytime

+2200

Ryan McLeod (Sabres)

First

+400

Anytime

+2200

Josh Anderson (Canadiens)

First

+425

Anytime

+2500

Zach Benson (Sabres)

First

+450

Anytime

+3000

Zack Bolduc (Canadiens)

First

+450

Anytime

+2500

Brendan Gallagher (Canadiens)

First

+475

Anytime

+2800

Bowen Byram (Sabres)

First

+500

Anytime

+3000

Konsta Helenius (Sabres)

First

+525

Anytime

+3000

Noah Dobson (Canadiens)

First

+525

Anytime

+3000

Phillip Danault (Canadiens)

First

+575

Anytime

+3300

Lane Hutson (Canadiens)

First

+575

Anytime

+3500

Rasmus Dahlin (Sabres)

First

+625

Anytime

+3500

Mike Matheson (Canadiens)

First

+675

Anytime

+3500

Jake Evans (Canadiens)

First

+725

Anytime

+3500

Peyton Krebs (Sabres)

First

+850

Anytime

+5000

Joe Veleno (Canadiens)

First

+900

Anytime

+5000

Mattias Samuelsson (Sabres)

First

+900

Anytime

+5500

Kaiden Guhle (Canadiens)

First

+1000

Anytime

+5000

Owen Power (Sabres)

First

+1000

Anytime

+5500

Player Assists

Lane Hutson (Canadiens)

Over 0.5

-149

Under 0.5

+110

Nick Suzuki (Canadiens)

Over 0.5

-141

Under 0.5

+105

Rasmus Dahlin (Sabres)

Over 0.5

-105

Under 0.5

-125

Tage Thompson (Sabres)

Over 0.5

+105

Under 0.5

-145

Ivan Demidov (Canadiens)

Over 0.5

+120

Under 0.5

-161

Cole Caufield (Canadiens)

Over 0.5

+125

Under 0.5

-164

Juraj Slafkovsky (Canadiens)

Over 0.5

+150

Under 0.5

-200

Alex Tuch (Sabres)

Over 0.5

+160

Under 0.5

-222

Jason Zucker (Sabres)

Over 0.5

+165

Under 0.5

-222

Josh Doan (Sabres)

Over 0.5

+170

Under 0.5

-227

Ryan McLeod (Sabres)

Over 0.5

+180

Under 0.5

-250

Noah Dobson (Canadiens)

Over 0.5

+195

Under 0.5

-278

Bowen Byram (Sabres)

Over 0.5

+210

Under 0.5

-294

Mike Matheson (Canadiens)

Over 0.5

+225

Under 0.5

-323

Owen Power (Sabres)

Over 0.5

+230

Under 0.5

-323

Noah Östlund (Sabres)

Over 0.5

+240

Under 0.5

-323

Kirby Dach (Canadiens)

Over 0.5

+240

Under 0.5

-323

Jack Quinn (Sabres)

Over 0.5

+240

Under 0.5

-345

Oliver Kapanen (Canadiens)

Over 0.5

+260

Under 0.5

-370

Zach Benson (Sabres)

Over 0.5

+270

Under 0.5

-400

Player Shots

Tage Thompson (Sabres)

Over 3.5

+135

Under 3.5

-185

Cole Caufield (Canadiens)

Over 2.5

-185

Under 2.5

+135

Nick Suzuki (Canadiens)

Over 2.5

+145

Under 2.5

-200

Rasmus Dahlin (Sabres)

Over 2.5

+115

Under 2.5

-154

Alex Tuch (Sabres)

Over 1.5

-185

Under 1.5

+130

Juraj Slafkovsky (Canadiens)

Over 1.5

-185

Under 1.5

+135

Jason Zucker (Sabres)

Over 1.5

-161

Under 1.5

+120

Josh Doan (Sabres)

Over 1.5

-125

Under 1.5

-110

Ivan Demidov (Canadiens)

Over 1.5

-125

Under 1.5

-110

Kirby Dach (Canadiens)

Over 1.5

-110

Under 1.5

-125

Oliver Kapanen (Canadiens)

Over 1.5

-135

Under 1.5

-100

Jack Quinn (Sabres)

Over 1.5

-164

Under 1.5

+120

Brendan Gallagher (Canadiens)

Over 1.5

+110

Under 1.5

-149

Noah Dobson (Canadiens)

Over 1.5

-145

Under 1.5

+105

Lane Hutson (Canadiens)

Over 1.5

-115

Under 1.5

-118

There are lots of exciting NHL micro betting lines that are created and they are available in-game. Among them are next goalscorer, next team to find the net and whether a goal will be scored within the next 10 minutes.

Latest regular season and playoff games stats.

Buffalo Sabres Stats

Montreal Canadiens Stats

Moneyline

• 6 wins and 4 defeats in the last 10 games
• 8 wins and 2 defeats in the last 10 games on the road

Moneyline

• 6 wins and 4 defeats in the last 10 games
• 7 wins and 3 defeats in the last 10 home games

Puck Line

• +1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in 9 of the last 10 games
• +1.5 Betting Line on the Road: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in 9 of the last 10 games on the road

Puck Line

• -1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 3 of the last 10 games
• -1.5 Betting Line at Home: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 6 of the last 10 home games

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 7.10 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals on the Road: An average of 5.30 goals in the previous 10 games on the road
• Over 6.5: Covered in 8 of the previous 10 games
• Over 6.5 on the Road: Covered in 2 of the previous 10 games on the road
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 3.90 goals and allowed 3.20 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals on the Road: Have scored an average of 3.20 pts and allowed 2.10 goals in the last 10 games on the road

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 6.60 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals at Home: An average of 5.90 goals in the previous 10 home games
• Over 6.5: Covered in 6 of the previous 10 games
• Over 6.5 at Home: Covered in 4 of the previous 10 home games
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 3.50 goals and allowed 3.10 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals at Home: Have scored an average of 3.40 goals and allowed 2.50 goals in the last 10 home games

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.6
• Shots: 24.5
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.2
• Penalties: 3.8
• Empty Net Goals: 0.4
• Penalty Minutes: 8.9
• Blocks: 6.4
• Faceoff Wins : 18.6
• Hits: 19
• Giveaways: 17.4
• Takeaways: 4.8

Last 10 Games on the Road

• Goals Powerplay: 0.2
• Shots: 25.7
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 2.8
• Empty Net Goals: 0.5
• Penalty Minutes: 5.8
• Blocks: 11
• Faceoff Wins : 24.5
• Hits: 17.9
• Giveaways: 16.1
• Takeaways: 5.4

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.6
• Shots: 27.7
• Goals Shorthanded: 0
• Penalties: 4.4
• Empty Net Goals: 0.1
• Penalty Minutes: 10.7
• Blocks: 11.1
• Faceoff Wins : 19.2
• Hits: 23.2
• Giveaways: 13.4
• Takeaways: 4.8

Last 10 Home Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.5
• Shots: 28.8
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 4.2
• Empty Net Goals: 0.3
• Penalty Minutes: 9.5
• Blocks: 12.5
• Faceoff Wins : 23.4
• Hits: 21.5
• Giveaways: 12.5
• Takeaways: 4.6

Injuries & Suspensions

Starting Lineups

Both teams’ confirmed lineups will be published ahead of face-off. There is also the chance to look at the lineups from the previous 10 games.

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