A couple of the least-penalized clubs in the league, the Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens collide at Bell Centre in a divisional matchup. The action gets started at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 11 and it can be viewed live on Sportsnet.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Odds
The Canadiens are 7-10 straight up (SU) and have lost 4.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 47-35 record that the team posted during the 2016-17 season campaign. Of the team’s 17 games this season, 10 have gone over the total, while six have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 3-4 SU at home this year.
Montreal’s converted on just 15.2 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places the team in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 28th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.4 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Montreal has been penalized just 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five matchups home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 6.4 minutes per game over its last five outings, in total.
Averaging 25.3 saves per game with a .877 save percentage, Carey Price (3-8-1) has been the top goalkeeper for the Canadiens this year. If head coach Claude Julien chooses to give him the evening off, however, the Habs may go with Al Montoya (2-2-2 record, .863 save percentage, 3.77 goals against average).
The Habs will continue to lean on the offensive production from Brendan Gallagher and Shea Weber. Gallagher (12 points) is up to seven goals and five assists and has recorded multiple points three times this year. Weber has three goals and eight assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in six contests.
On the other side of the ice, Buffalo is 5-10 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of eight of its outings have gone over the total, while five have gone under and just two have pushed. As the road team so far, Buffalo is 3-6 SU.
Buffalo has converted on just 11.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 29th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 13th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.8 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo’s players have been penalized only 3.3 times per game this season, a number that’s fairly close to the 3.6 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 9.0 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has had to stave off opponent power plays for only 6.9 minutes per matchup this year.
Robin Lehner (3.00 goals against average and .902 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Buffalo. Lehner is averaging 22.5 saves per game and has four wins, seven losses, and one OT loss to his credit.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Sabres will be Evander Kane (nine goals, six assists) and Jack Eichel (four goals, 10 assists).
Buffalo Sabres at Montreal Canadiens Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The total has gone under in three of Montreal’s last five outings.
- This game features two of the more physical teams in the league. Buffalo skaters have accounted for the league’s 12th-most hits per game (21.7) while the Habs have tallied the eighth-most (23.2).
