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Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Picks and Predictions – Thursday January 22, 2026
Buffalo heads to Montreal on Thursday night with a real standings angle. The Sabres are chasing the Canadiens in the Atlantic and already proved they can get offense on this matchup with a 5-3 win in Buffalo on January 15. Now they need the same bite on the road, because Montreal has been winning games in different ways, including late, and they’ve had more consistency in tight spots.
This game also profiles as youth versus youth, but the betting edge comes down to pace and finishing. Buffalo’s rookies have injected energy and forecheck pressure, while Montreal’s young core has been driving points without needing perfect game scripts. With the total at 6.5, the market expects chances, and I agree, but the side is where the value sits.
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Odds
These are the current lines, and bettors should monitor updated pricing on the latest NHL odds before puck drop.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Sabres | +116 | +1.5 (-216) | 6.5 (O -110 / U -112) |
| Montreal Canadiens | -138 | -1.5 (+174) | 6.5 (O -110 / U -112) |
Buffalo Sabres Betting Form
Buffalo’s surge since early December is the kind of run bettors should respect, not hand-wave. They’ve been stacking wins because the offense has multiple ways to get there, and when their top-end skill is clicking, they can overwhelm teams in transition and off second chances. The 5-3 win over Nashville on Tuesday was a good example of how dangerous they can be when the legs are there, especially with a young line pushing the pace and winning shifts cleanly.
The rookie production matters for handicapping because it changes Buffalo’s floor. If that youthful line is driving the offensive zone and forcing matchups, Buffalo doesn’t have to rely on one scorer or one power-play spike to get to three or four goals. That’s important against a Montreal team that can be vulnerable if you make their defense turn and defend for full shifts.
From a betting standpoint, Buffalo’s best look is usually tied to how often they get the game to a track-meet pace without giving away odd-man rushes the other way. If they stay disciplined through the neutral zone, they can trade chances and still win that trade. For recent results and team trends, see Buffalo Sabres stats and results. Keep availability in mind, too: Buffalo Sabres injury report.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Form
Montreal’s success is being driven by a young core that plays fast but doesn’t have to play reckless. They can win when the top line is cooking, and they can still get there when secondary scoring or the young playmakers take over. The 4-3 win Tuesday, capped by a late goal, is exactly the kind of result that matters to bettors backing a home favorite, because it shows they’re comfortable in high-leverage minutes.
The Canadiens are at their best when they keep the puck moving east-west and force defenders into late switches. That creates seams for quick strikes and also draws penalties when opponents start reaching. Against Buffalo, that style can work if Montreal wins the first few battles and keeps the Sabres from building speed through the middle.
Home ice matters here because it helps Montreal control matchups and protect stretches where their defensive coverage can get loose. If they can dictate the pace early and force Buffalo to dump pucks instead of carrying in, it reduces Buffalo’s most dangerous looks. For game logs and matchup context, use Montreal Canadiens schedule and stats. Monitor the latest lineup status here: Montreal Canadiens injury report.
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Matchup Breakdown
The biggest handicap variable is the pace battle. Buffalo wants to turn this into quick strike hockey, create off the rush, and let their skill win in space. Montreal is happy to play fast too, but they’re usually best when they can attack with control and set their forecheck behind it, not when they’re trading chances after sloppy neutral-zone turnovers.
Special teams can decide the spread here more than most games with a 6.5 total. If Buffalo’s young legs draw penalties and the power play converts, the Sabres can flip the game even if Montreal is controlling long stretches at five-on-five. On the other side, Montreal’s young creators can punish undisciplined stick infractions, and that’s where Buffalo has to be careful, especially if they’re chasing the game.
Goaltending confirmation matters. If either team starts a backup, this total can become light quickly. If both starters go, I still expect chances, but the finishing rate becomes the question, and 6.5 leaves less margin for a quiet second period. This is the kind of spot where live betting can be sharper than pregame if the first ten minutes show you which team is actually dictating zone time.
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Montreal on the moneyline because the price is reasonable for a home team sitting above Buffalo in the standings and showing better late-game execution. The Canadiens have more ways to win a close game, and they’ve been getting contributions from their young core without needing everything to run through one line every night.
The total is playable either way, but 6.5 is a number that asks for clean finishing. Buffalo can absolutely help push it over if their transition is clicking, and Montreal has the talent to trade. Still, if the game tightens late and both teams respect the points, it can land 4-2, which makes the number feel sharp.
Buffalo +1.5 is priced like the safer angle, but it’s expensive, and I’d rather take the plus price on the moneyline if you’re backing the Sabres. For me, the cleaner position is Montreal to win, with the understanding that Buffalo’s youth-driven pace can make this uncomfortable at times.
Best Bet: Montreal Canadiens moneyline (-138)
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re playing a bigger slate, start with the NHL picks page to compare sides and totals across similar price ranges. It’s a good way to spot where books are shading toward recent streaks versus matchup fit.
To track who’s actually been beating the market, use the best handicappers hub and the live handicappers leaderboard. If you want premium positions and stronger conviction plays, browse buy picks, and keep daily matchup context flowing through the NHL previews hub. For bettors tightening process, the NHL betting guide and the Stanley Cup betting guide are useful references for how sides, totals, and futures markets tend to behave as the season pressure ramps up.
