Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 1/22/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN2

The Buffalo Sabres (27-17-5) are headed to Bell Centre on Thursday where they will attempt to beat the Montreal Canadiens (28-15-7).

The Buffalo Sabres were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 5-3 win against the Predators in their previous contest . The Sabres had a impressive offensive performance in this win. For the outing, they scored on 5 of the 32 shots they launched. Furthermore, they had 1 power play attempt but weren't able to make the most of that try. Buffalo compiled 6 mins in the box for this game.

Buffalo Sabres opponents have 134 power play opportunities (24th in professional hockey) and have come away with 23 goals in those chances. The Sabres thus far have had 1,452 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .895. Buffalo has attempted 1,361 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.8%. When playing at even strength, the Sabres have surrendered 130 goals while scoring 132 on the offensive side of the ice. Buffalo comes into the game with 145 power play opportunities and they have added 28 goals during those advantages, giving them a rate of 19.31%. For the current season, they have recorded 59 points and their points percentage is sitting at .602. With respect to their scoring capabilities, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 160 goals (11th in the National Hockey League) on the season and have allowed 153.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Alex Lyon. The opposition has racked up 360 goals versus Lyon in his pro career and his average for goals against per game is 3.00. Lyon has participated in 135 contests during his NHL career. His save percentage currently sits at .903 for his 6,039 minutes between the pipes. He has amassed a record of 62-44-14 and he was named the starter in 120 games. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Lyon has 65 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .542. Lyon has had 3,698 shot attempts taken against him and has accrued 3,338 total saves.

In their last contest, Montreal squared up with the Wild in a matchup where the Canadiens took home the victory by a mark of 4-3. They had 3 power play chances in this game but didn't score a goal. The Canadiens scored 4 goals out of the 33 shots on goal they were seeking.

This season, the Montreal Canadiens have tallied 170 goals, 63 points, in addition to a points percentage of .630. They have granted a total of 163 goals to be scored by way of 126 goals at even strength and 37 goals while they were shorthanded. The Canadiens have racked up 136 goals at even strength and 34 goals (9th in hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have recorded 145 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 23.45%. Montreal has tried 1,305 shots (25th in professional hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 13.03%, while allowing the other team 1,358 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 77.44% on the other teams 164 tries on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 88.0%.

Across the ice you are going to see Sam Montembeault patrolling the crease. Teams are averaging 3.31 goals/game and he has yielded 681 goals altogether. Montembeault's quality start rate sits at 51.9% and he has earned 107 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He got the starting nod in 206 games and has played 10,964 minutes. Montembeault has accumulated a career mark of 89-90-30 and has played in 226 games. He has tallied 5,915 saves out of the 6,596 shots attempted against him, giving him a rate of .897.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo

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