The Montreal Canadiens (9-8-1) play host to the Buffalo Sabres (7-11-0), who will be out to end their losing run, at Bell Centre on Tuesday. Buffalo is coming off a 5-2 loss against the Maple Leafs on Saturday, their eighth consecutive defeat.
The Sabres took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring twice on six shots, while also conceding two power play goals. Casey Mittelstadt and Alex Tuch both scored once for the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen saved only 18 of 23 shots against (.782%) in the loss.
Montreal beat the Flyers 5-4 (SO) on Saturday. Cole Caufield scored twice in regulation to lead the Canadiens. Jake Allen only stopped 25 of 29 shots (.862%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Canadiens won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-2 victory in October. Josh Anderson (1G 1A) and David Savard (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Montreal. Jeff Skinner and Dylan Cozens were on the scoresheet for Buffalo. Sam Montembeault got the win, saving 43 of 45 shots (.955%).
FACING OFF
Buffalo is averaging 3.44 goals per game for the season, eighth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Canadiens team that is allowing 3.50 goals a game (26th). Meanwhile, Montreal has found the net 3.06 times a game on average, 18th in the league, and the Sabres are allowing opponents to score 3.67 goals per game (29th).
The Sabres’ 23.29% power play percentage ranks 10th in the league, while the Canadiens are 26th with a conversion rate of 17.65%. While efficient on the power play, Buffalo has been less successful at penalty killing, as the away team possesses the league’s fourth-lowest PK% at 70.18%. Montreal’s 81.03% ranks ninth in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 22 points this season, ninth-most in the NHL, Tage Thompson is the top skater for the Sabres. He is among the league leaders with 12 goals (3rd) and has added 10 assists.
In the net, Craig Anderson (3-3-0) is Buffalo’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.82 GAA and a .910% save percentage. Eric Comrie (4-7-0) leads the Sabres in games played in goal.
He has a GAA of 3.62 and a save percentage of .887%.Nick Suzuki leads the Canadiens in scoring with 23 points. He has 11 goals (5th) and 12 assists. Montembeault (3-2-1) has the best goals against average for Montreal at 2.83.
He has a save percentage of .915%. Allen (5-6-0) has played the most games in net for the Canadiens this season. He has a 3.29 GAA and a .901% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Buffalo is seeking to snap a five-game road losing streak this season. Montreal is 6-4-0 at Bell Centre this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Buffalo Sabres (+100)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
