Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 10/20/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Monday, October 20, 2025

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN2

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+162) Canadiens (-196)

The Buffalo Sabres (1-3-0) are hitting the road to Bell Centre on Monday where they will play the Montreal Canadiens (4-1-0). The odds on this game have the Sabres at +162 while the Canadiens are opening at -196. The over/under is 6.

The Buffalo Sabres were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 8-4 victory against the Senators in their previous game. The Sabres had a solid offensive output and it showed in this win. For the matchup, they scored on 8 out of the 27 shots they tried. Additionally, they had 3 opportunities with more players on the ice and were able to net 3 goals. Buffalo recorded 14 mins in the box in this game.

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While playing at even strength, the Sabres have conceded 13 goals while having 7 on the offensive side of the ice. Buffalo Sabres opponents have totaled 16 power play opportunities (15th in the NHL) and have come away with 1 goal in those chances. With respect to scoring goals, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 10 goals (29th in the NHL) for the year and have given up 14. Buffalo has tried 114 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 8.8%. For the current campaign, they have recorded 2 points and their points percentage sits at .250. The Sabres so far have had 137 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .898. Buffalo has compiled 14 power play opportunities and they have added 3 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 21.43%.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Alex Lyon. Opponents have scored 315 goals versus Lyon in his NHL career and his goals against average per game is 3.03. Lyon has taken the ice for 117 games over the course of his pro hockey career. His save percentage is .902 for his 5,999 mins guarding the cage. He has compiled an overall record of 52-41-11 and got the start in 104 games. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Lyon has 54 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .519. Lyon has had 3,222 shot attempts against him and has amassed 2,907 total saves.

Their last time out, Montreal faced the Predators in a game where the Canadiens took home the win by a score of 3-2. They had 3 power play opportunities in this game but weren't able to notch a goal. The Canadiens recorded 3 goals of the 30 shots on goal they pursued.

The Canadiens have 15 goals at even strength and 3 goals (9th in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. Montreal has tried 128 shots (14th in the NHL) and has a shot percentage of 14.06%, while allowing the opposition 121 shots. For the season, the Montreal Canadiens have a total of 18 goals, 8 points, and a points percentage of .800. They have permitted 14 goals to be scored by of a combination of 10 goals at even strength and 4 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have recorded 20 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 15.00%. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 75.00% on their opponents 16 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 88.4%.

Across the rink you are going to see Sam Montembeault in goal. Teams are averaging 3.28 goals per contest and he has given up 626 goals in total. Montembeault's quality start rate is 52.9% and he has qualified for 101 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has started in 191 games and has played for a total of 10,926 minutes. Montembeault is the owner of a career record of 82-85-28 and has played in 209 games. He has a tally of 5,536 stops out of the 6,162 shots taken against him, which gives him a percentage of .898.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Montreal (-196)

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