Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 1/31/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

KeyBank Center is the location where the Buffalo Sabres (30-17-5) will meet the Montreal Canadiens (29-17-7) on Saturday.

The Montreal Canadiens will head into their next game feeling good after earning a 3-2 victory against the Golden Knights their last time out. Montreal recorded 6 penalty minutes in this contest. The Canadiens had a middle of the road offensive performance in this victory. In addition, they had 4 power play tries but didn't get a goal. In the game, they were able to notch a goal on 3 out of the 26 shots they launched.

When talking about their goal scoring prowess, the Montreal Canadiens have racked up 178 goals (4th in hockey) for the year and have conceded 173. For the current campaign, they have recorded 65 points and their points percentage comes in at .613. Montreal has 155 power play opportunities and they have notched 36 goals out of those tries, giving them a rate of 23.23%. When playing at even strength, the Canadiens have surrendered 133 goals while having 142 of their own. Montreal has taken 1,390 shots and has a shooting percentage of 12.8%. The Canadiens thus far have had 1,431 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .879. Montreal Canadiens opponents have earned 173 power play tries (4th in the NHL) and have scored 40 goals in those chances.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Sam Montembeault. Montembeault has been in net for 228 games throughout his hockey career. He has compiled an overall record of 89-92-30 and he has started in 208 games. Opponents have been able to score 688 goals against Montembeault in his pro career and his average for goals against per game is 3.31. Montembeault has had 6,633 shots against him and has accrued 5,945 total saves. He has a save percentage of .896 for his 10,969 mins in the crease. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Montembeault has accumulated 107 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .514.

When they took the ice last, Buffalo squared up with the Maple Leafs in an outing where the Sabres took home the win by a final score of 7-4. They had 2 attempts on the power play in this matchup and recorded 1 out of those opportunities. The Sabres scored 7 goals of the 31 shots on goal they took.

Buffalo has put up 1,431 shots (20th in the NHL) and has a shooting percentage of 12.30%, while allowing their opponents 1,536 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 83.57% on their oppositions 140 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is 89.6%. They have a tally of 151 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 19.21%. The Sabres are sitting with 147 goals at even strength and 29 goals (20th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have permitted 159 goals to be scored by way of 136 goals at even strength and 23 goals while they were shorthanded. During this campaign, the Buffalo Sabres are sitting with 176 goals, 65 points, as well as a points percentage of .625.

Across the rink you are expected to see Alex Lyon in the crease. He has accrued 3,364 saves out of the 3,724 shots taken, giving him a rate of .903. Lyon holds a lifetime mark of 63-44-14 and has been in net for 136 games. He has started in 121 games and has been on the ice for 6,042 minutes. Lyon's quality start percentage comes out to 54.5% and he has 66 quality starts in his career. His opposition is averaging 2.98 goals/game and he has given up 360 goals in total.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Buffalo

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