Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 5/18/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Monday, May 18, 2026

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (-108) Sabres (-112)

The Buffalo Sabres (50-23-9) host the Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10) at KeyBank Center on Monday in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The moneyline on this contest has the Canadiens at -108 while the Sabres are coming in at -112. The total is set at 5.5.

The Montreal Canadiens will look to figure out something defensively after taking a 8-3 loss to the Sabres in Game 6. Montreal accrued 58 minutes in the box for this matchup. In addition, they had 3 power play tries and netted 1 goal. The Canadiens had an average offensive performance in the defeat. While out there on the ice, they tallied a score on 3 of the 22 shots they tried.

Get all of our Free NHL Picks

Montreal Canadiens opponents have totaled 248 power play tries (8th in pro hockey) and have a total of 54 goals in those chances. The Canadiens have seen 2,283 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .890. Montreal has attempted 2,156 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 12.9%. When at even strength, the Canadiens have surrendered 197 goals while getting 223 on offense. Montreal has accounted for 242 power play chances and they have notched 56 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 23.14%. For the season, they have recorded 106 points and their points percentage is sitting at .646. With regard to scoring goals, the Montreal Canadiens have racked up 279 goals (7th in the league) so far this year and have allowed 251.

The man in net for this game is Jakub Dobes. For his career, Dobes has accounted for 35 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .614. His save percentage currently is at .904 for his 953 mins in the crease. Dobes has had 1,627 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 1,470 saves. Opponents have been able to score 157 goals versus Dobes in his pro hockey career and his goals against average is 2.75. He has accumulated a record of 36-14-7 and he was named the starter in 57 games. Dobes has participated in 59 games during his NHL career.

Buffalo exploded on offense in Game 6. The Sabres netted 8 goals of the 36 shots on goal they attempted. They had 6 power play attempts in this outing and netted 4 out of those attempts.

The Sabres are sitting with 235 goals at even strength and 48 goals (18th in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. Buffalo has attempted 2,307 shots (13th in the NHL) and has earned a shot percentage of 12.27%, while allowing their opponents 2,381 shots. On the season, the Buffalo Sabres are sitting with 283 goals, 109 points, in addition to a points percentage of .665. They have granted a total of 240 goals to be scored by way of 198 goals at even strength and 42 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a total of 246 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play percentage of 19.51%. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 81.90% on the other teams 232 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 89.9%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen protecting the goal. Teams are averaging 2.91 goals per game and he has relinquished 538 goals overall. Luukkonen's quality start percentage sits at 55.1% and he has 102 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has started in 185 games and has played for a total of 8,299 mins. Luukkonen holds a lifetime mark of 93-74-18 and has been in goal for 190 games. He has recorded 4,830 saves out of 5,368 shots attempted against him, giving him a save % of .900.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Montreal (-108)

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

Get NHL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.