Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 5/16/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: ABC

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+136) Canadiens (-162)

The Buffalo Sabres (50-23-9) are headed to Bell Centre on Saturday where they will attempt to beat the Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10) in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Montreal leads 3-2. The moneyline on this game has the Sabres at +136 while the Canadiens are priced at -162. The betting total is set at 6.5.

The Buffalo Sabres will look improve defensively after their 6-3 defeat to the Canadiens in Game 5 . Buffalo accrued 16 penalty minutes for this game. The Sabres were neither impressive or disappointing offensively in the loss. In addition, they had 2 opportunities with more players on the ice but weren't able to score a goal. In the game, they converted 3 out of the 36 shots they tried.

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While playing at even strength, the Sabres have allowed the opponent to score 198 goals while getting 235 when they are on offense. Buffalo Sabres opponents have 232 power play tries (19th in professional hockey) and have a total of 42 goals in those chances. In terms of their goal scoring prowess, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 283 goals (5th in the league) on the year and have surrendered 240. Buffalo has taken 2,307 shots and holds a shot percentage of 12.3%. For the current season, they sit with 109 points and their points percentage sits at .665. The Sabres so far have had 2,381 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .899. Buffalo has accounted for 246 power play opportunities and they have notched 48 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 19.51%.

The player between the pipes for this game is Alex Lyon. The opposition has been able to score 395 goals versus Lyon in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per game is 2.95. Lyon has participated in 149 games over the course of his professional hockey career. His save percentage is at .903 in his 6,072 mins in the crease. He has amassed a mark of 71-48-15 and he has gotten the start in 134 games. For his career, Lyon has accrued 74 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .552. Lyon has seen 4,065 shot attempts against him and has gathered 3,670 total saves.

Montreal dominated on offense in Game 5. They had 2 power play opportunities in this outing and scored 2 out of those opportunities. The Canadiens recorded 6 goals of the 26 shots on goal they took.

The Canadiens have scored 223 goals at even strength and 56 goals (7th in professional hockey) while on the power play. Montreal has attempted 2,156 shots (24th in the league) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 12.94%, while allowing the other team 2,283 shots. During this campaign, the Montreal Canadiens have notched a total of 279 goals, 106 points, in addition to a points percentage of .646. They have allowed 251 goals to be scored by way of 197 goals at even strength and 54 goals while they were shorthanded. They have earned 242 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 23.14%. They have a penalty kill rate of 78.23% on the other teams 248 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 89.0%.

Across the rink you will find Jakub Dobes in the crease. Dobes is the owner of a lifetime mark of 36-14-7 and has participated in 59 games. Dobes' rate of quality starts comes in at 61.4% and he has 35 quality starts in his career. He has racked up 1,470 saves out of 1,627 shots taken, which gives him a save percentage of .904. The opposition is averaging 2.75 goals per contest and he has allowed 157 goals altogether. He was named a starter in 57 games and his ice time sits at 953 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Buffalo (+136)

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