Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. Our featured game of this edition is the Montreal Canadiens hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL Predictions: Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres
Series: Montreal 1 – 1 Buffalo
How to Watch:
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
The Canadiens went into Buffalo and took a split with the Sabres to steal home ice advantage from Buffalo. The Sabres came out with a 4-2 win against the Canadiens before getting blown out in Game 2, 5-1. Jakub Dobes kept his solid play going after coming off a loss, improving to 4-0 with a 1.49 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage. Now returning to the Bell Centre in Montreal, the Canadiens look to use the momentum of their impressive victory to take a stranglehold on the series. While the Sabres look to bounce back from the team’s worst performance during this Stanley Cup Playoff run.
The Canadiens Story
For the Canadiens, Dobes continues to be the story. His ability to bounce back during these playoffs has been outstanding, and he’s proving time and time again that he is the real deal. Dobes is now 5-2-2 during the playoffs with a 2.14 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
Not to be outdone, Alex Newhook had a magnificent game in Game 2 for the Canadiens. The hero of Game 7 against the Lightning scored two goals to help the Canadiens avenge a 4-2 loss in Game 1. It was his relentless energy all game long that impressed the most. Newhook’s game is built on speed, which he uses to help the Canadiens break out of the zone and pressure opponents’ defencemen on the forecheck.
During a time when the Canadiens’ top dogs like Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky have gone quiet, players like Newhook have stepped up to help the Canadiens secure victories. Their depth is a major reason why they managed to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning and why they’re coming home with the series tied.
The Sabres Story
The good news for the Sabres is that they are tied 1-1 in the series. The bad news, they were outplayed by the Canadiens in both games at home. Heading into Montreal, things aren’t going to get any easier. They will need to find another gear if they want to be able to stay in the series and be able to beat Dobes and the Canadiens.
The Sabres did get some much-needed scoring from their depth forwards during the first two games, which was something we mentioned they would need to happen to have any chance in this series. However, after dominating the first round against the Bruins, the top line of Alex Tuch, Tage Thompson and Peyton Krebs has gone silent in the first two games of this series. They will need them to step up their game if they have any chance of coming back in the series.
Alex Lyon came back to earth in Game 2 after six straight outstanding performances in the playoffs. However, anyone can have a bad game from time to time. Lyon was beaten four times on 27 shots in Game 2, marking just his first regulation loss during the playoffs. Lyon still has remarkable numbers, with a 4-1-1 record, a 1.73 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage. There are some rumblings that the Sabres might turn back to starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in this game, despite how well Lyon has played. Luukkonen has not seen the ice since being pulled in Game 3.
Prediction and Best Bets
As expected, this series has gone back and forth, and the two teams head back to Montreal tied. However, momentum is in the Canadiens’ favour after being the better team through two games and blowing out the Sabres in Game 2. Now heading back to the Bell Centre, the Sabres are in tough as the Canadiens faithful will certainly be loud, giving the Canadiens that extra push to be even better tonight. After watching how the Canadiens played away from home, it’s hard to bet against them in tonight’s game. We believe the Canadiens will come out on top in Game 3.
Prediction: Canadiens win 3-1
Best Bets
For best bets on the Canadiens side, we like Cole Caufield as an anytime goalscorer at (+145). Caufield hasn’t scored since Game 3 against the Lightning. However, he was just centimetres from beating Lyon in the last game after hitting the crossbar. We believe tonight will be the night that Caufield fines twine.
On the Sabres’ side, we like Zach Benson to record at least one point. Benson has recorded at least a point in each of the first two games of this series and has been arguably the Sabres’ best player. We believe he will continue his strong play tonight.
Main Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
