Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 3/27/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Monday, March 27, 2023

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+145) Sabres (-175)

KeyBank Center is the location where the Buffalo Sabres (35-31-6) will attempt to beat the Montreal Canadiens (29-38-6) on Monday. The odds on this game have the Canadiens at +145 while the Sabres are priced at -175. The betting total is set at 7.

The Montreal Canadiens came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 8-2 win against the Blue Jackets in their previous contest . Montreal compiled 8 minutes in the box in this outing. They also had 3 power play chances and scored 1 goal. The Canadiens had a good offensive performance and it was apparent in the win. For the game, they scored on 8 out of the 32 shots they put on goal.

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In relation to their scoring capabilities, the Montreal Canadiens have racked up 207 goals (25th in hockey) on the campaign and have given up 268. For the season, they have recorded 64 points and their points percentage is sitting at .438. Montreal comes into the game with 214 power play opportunities and they have notched 37 goals out of those tries, garnering them a rate of 17.29%. While playing at even strength, the Canadiens have conceded 203 goals while notching 170 of their own. Montreal has taken 2,003 shots and has a shot percentage of 10.3%. The Canadiens thus far have had 2,464 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .891. Montreal Canadiens opponents have tallied 242 power play opportunities (9th in the league) and have scored 65 goals in those attempts.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Sam Montembeault. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Montembeault has 39 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .476. He has a save percentage of .897 during his 5,213 minutes guarding the cage. Montembeault has had 2,899 shot attempts taken against him and he has 2,600 total saves. Opponents have racked up 299 goals versus Montembeault in his career and his goals against average is 3.44. He has earned an overall mark of 32-40-12 and he has gotten the start in 82 games. Montembeault has played in 97 matchups during his hockey career.

In their last contest, Buffalo squared up with the Islanders in a matchup where the Sabres notched a win by a tally of 2-0. They had 3 power play chances in this outing but didn't score a goal. The Sabres tallied 2 goals out of the 35 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Sabres have 199 goals at even strength and 58 goals (5th in hockey) while having more men on the ice. Buffalo has taken 2,315 shots (15th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 11.10%, while allowing the other team 2,370 shots. During this campaign, the Buffalo Sabres have accumulated 257 goals, 76 points, as well as a points percentage of .528. They have allowed 265 goals to be scored by of a combination of 209 goals at even strength and 56 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a tally of 239 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 24.27%. They have a penalty kill rate of 72.41% on their opponents 203 power play tries, and their save percentage currently comes in at 88.8%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen protecting the net. He has tallied 1,289 saves out of the 1,438 shots taken against him, which gives him a save % of .896. Luukkonen is the owner of a career record of 19-19-6 and has been in net for 45 contests. He got the starting nod in 44 contests and has been on the ice for 2,570 minutes. Luukkonen's quality start percentage sits at 45.5% and he has qualified for 20 quality starts in his professional career. Teams are averaging 3.48 goals per contest and he has conceded 149 goals in total.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo (-175)

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