Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Picks and Predictions for Thursday January 22 2026
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The Buffalo Sabres travel north to face the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with puck drop set for 7:00 PM EST. This matchup will be broadcast on ESPN+, ABC, and MSG Buffalo. Montreal enters the game as the home favorite at -135 on the moneyline, while Buffalo is listed at +114. The total is set at 6.5 goals with the Over at -112 and the Under at -108. Be sure to check out our free NHL picks for more daily NHL betting insights.
Sabres Looking to Carry Momentum on the Road
The Buffalo Sabres come into this matchup with a 27-17-5 overall record and have gone 11-11-2 on the road this season. Over their last five games, the Sabres have recently won over the Predators, Canadiens, and Flyers, while also suffering losses to the Hurricanes and Wild, showing a mix of strong offensive outings and close defensive battles.
Statistically, Buffalo is averaging 3.27 goals per game while allowing 3.12 goals against. They generate 27.8 shots per game but allow 29.7 shots against, indicating that they can be outshot at times but still find ways to score efficiently. Their ability to finish chances has helped offset some defensive pressure.
One area where the Sabres stand out is on special teams and discipline while short-handed. Buffalo owns an 82.8% penalty kill and has allowed zero shorthanded goals against, while also scoring six shorthanded goals themselves. That ability to flip momentum during penalty situations adds another layer to their overall game.
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Canadiens Defending Home Ice in Key Matchup
The Montreal Canadiens enter Thursday night with a 28-15-7 overall record and a 14-10-1 mark at home. In their last five games, Montreal has recently won over the Wild, Senators, and Canucks, while dropping games to the Sabres and Capitals, showing that they’ve been competitive even in close losses.
From a numbers perspective, the Canadiens are averaging 3.40 goals per game while giving up 3.26 goals against. They take 26.1 shots per game and allow 27.2 shots against, suggesting a fairly balanced style of play that relies on pace and transition rather than heavy shot volume.
Special teams could be a deciding factor for Montreal. The Canadiens have scored 34 power-play goals with a 23.4% conversion rate, but their penalty kill sits at 77.4% and they have allowed 37 power-play goals against. With 533 penalty minutes on the season, staying out of the box will be critical against a Buffalo team that can capitalize on mistakes.
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Pick
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Pick
- Pick: Montreal Canadiens -135 (Moneyline)
Montreal gets the nod here due to their strong offensive production and the advantage of playing at home. While Buffalo has been competitive on the road, the Canadiens’ ability to score in bunches and push the pace at the Bell Centre gives them the edge, especially after dropping a recent game to the Sabres and looking for a bounce-back performance.
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Total Pick
- Pick: Over 6.5 Goals
I’m leaning toward the Over in this matchup because both teams are averaging more than three goals per game and each side has shown a tendency to get involved in higher-scoring contests. With both penalty kills ranking in the middle of the pack and recent meetings producing offense, this game sets up well for goals on both ends.
Final Score Prediction: Canadiens 4, Sabres 3
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Wednesday.
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