The Buffalo Sabres (35-31-6) host the Montreal Canadiens (29-38-6) at KeyBank Center on Monday. Montreal is coming off a high-scoring 8-2 win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday.
The Canadiens committed four penalties in the game, though they held Columbus without a power play goal. Rafael Harvey-Pinard was the top goalscorer for the Canadiens with a hat trick. Nick Suzuki had a goal and three assists to lead the team in scoring.
Sam Montembeault saved 21 of 23 shots in the win. Buffalo beat the Islanders 2-0 on Saturday. Kyle Okposo and Jeff Skinner each scored once for the Sabres. Eric Comrie recorded the shutout with 26 saves.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have split their two meetings this season, the most recent of which was a 7-2 victory for the Sabres in November. Skinner led Buffalo with five points (2G 3A). Cole Caufield and Sean Monahan were on the scoresheet for Montreal. Craig Anderson got the win, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935%).
FACING OFF
Montreal is averaging 2.84 goals per game for the season, 26th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sabres team that is allowing 3.68 goals a game (29th).
Meanwhile, Buffalo has found the net 3.57 times a game on average, third in the league, and will be looking to capitalize on the Canadiens’ weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score 3.67 goals per game (28th).
Montreal averages fewer shots a game (27.4) than most teams in the league, ranking 30th, though the team’s 10.5% shooting percentage is 13th. Buffalo’s average of 32.2 attempts ranks 12th.
The Canadiens will be seeking to add to their 28th-ranked power play percentage of 17.29% against the Sabres, who are the league’s second-weakest penalty killing team (72.41%).
Buffalo, meanwhile, has scored on 24.27% of their power play opportunities (6th), which the hosts will be aiming to improve on against Montreal’s 29th-ranked 73.33% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 61 points this season, Suzuki is the top skater for the Canadiens. He has 23 goals and 38 assists in 73 games. In the net, Montembeault (15-14-3) is Montreal’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.28 GAA and a .905% save percentage. Jake Allen (14-24-3) leads the Canadiens in games played in goal.
He has a GAA of 3.57 and a save percentage of .891%.Tage Thompson leads the Sabres in scoring with 89 points. He has 44 goals (6th) and 45 assists in 72 games. Anderson (10-11-2) has the best goals against average for Buffalo at 3.07.
He has a save percentage of .908%. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (16-11-4) has played the most games in net for the Sabres this season. He has a 3.63 GAA and a .889% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Montreal is looking to avoid a fourth successive road defeat this season. Buffalo is 14-20-3 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Buffalo Sabres (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
