Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 12/17/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (-150) Canadiens (+125)

Bell Centre is the location where the Montreal Canadiens (11-16-3) will try to defeat the Buffalo Sabres (11-16-4) on Tuesday. The moneyline on this game has the Sabres at -150 while the Canadiens are coming in at +125. The over/under comes in at 6.

The Buffalo Sabres will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 5-3 loss to the Maple Leafs in their previous game. The Sabres had a middle of the road offensive output in the loss. In the matchup, they converted 3 of the 27 shots they put on net. In addition, they had 2 chances on the power play and were able to notch 1 goal. Buffalo recorded 18 penalty minutes for this game.

Get all of our Free NHL Picks

Buffalo Sabres opponents have 100 power play opportunities (7th in hockey) and have racked up 21 goals in those chances. The Sabres have seen 913 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .887. Buffalo has attempted 867 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.5%. While playing at even strength, the Sabres have given up 82 goals while having 78 themselves. Buffalo steps onto the ice with 89 power play chances and they have tallied 13 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 14.61%. For the year, they have tallied 26 points and their points percentage comes in at .419. In terms of their goal scoring prowess, the Buffalo Sabres have notched 91 goals (21st in pro hockey) so far this year and have given up 103.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Luukkonen has 66 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .564. He has a save percentage of .904 in his 5,763 mins on the ice. Luukkonen has seen 3,547 shot attempts against him and has accrued 3,205 saves. The opposition has notched 342 goals versus Luukkonen in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 3.56. He has accumulated an overall record of 55-50-13 and was named the starter in 117 games. Luukkonen has played in 121 matchups over the course of his NHL career.

In their last contest, Montreal opposed the Jets in a game where the Canadiens ended up taking the loss by a final of 4-2. They had 4 power play attempts in this matchup but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Canadiens netted 2 goals out of the 28 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Canadiens have accumulated 62 goals at even strength and 19 goals (16th in hockey) while on the power play. Montreal has attempted 728 shots (32nd in the league) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.13%, while allowing their opponents 897 shots. So far this year, the Montreal Canadiens have 81 goals, 25 points, in addition to a points percentage of .417. They have permitted 112 goals to be scored by way of 91 goals at even strength and 21 goals while they were shorthanded. They have recorded 94 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 20.21%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 80.19% on their oppositions 106 power play opportunities, and their save percentage sits at 87.5%.

Across the ice you are expected to see Sam Montembeault between the pipes. His opponents are averaging 3.84 goals per game and he has relinquished 515 goals altogether. Montembeault's quality start rate comes out to 53.0% and he has qualified for 80 quality starts in his professional career. He was named a starter in 151 games and has played 8,050 minutes. Montembeault is sitting with a career mark of 58-73-23 and has participated in 168 games. He has accrued 4,539 saves out of the 5,054 shots tried, giving him a save percentage of .898.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo (-150)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here