Montréal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction & Picks, October 17, 2026

The game at Centre Bell should be an exciting matchup. The Buffalo Sabres have won 4 of their last 10 games, showing they can compete well right now. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens have only managed to win 3 out of their last 10, which isn't the best form. The Sabres have a solid mix of shooters, with a lot of left-handed players, which could give them an advantage in creating scoring chances. This game is rated close to a coin flip, so it could go either way. A real risk is that many players on the Canadiens haven't played enough games to build chemistry yet. Still, considering the Sabres' recent performance, betting on them to win seems like a smart choice.

Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres: Buffalo Sabres 2nd Period Moneyline (+110)

The Buffalo Sabres are heading to Centre Bell to face the Montreal Canadiens, and they have a decent chance to come out on top in the second period. While both teams have struggled lately, the Sabres have won 4 out of their last 10 games, showing a bit more fight than the Canadiens, who have only won 3. Plus, Buffalo has a mix of left and right shooters that could keep the Canadiens' defense guessing. One risk to consider is that the teams are pretty evenly matched, and this game could easily go either way. Still, with the Sabres' recent form, they look like a solid pick for the second period. It's an opportunity worth taking a shot at!

Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres: Buffalo Sabres 3rd Period Moneyline (+112)

The Buffalo Sabres are coming off a decent stretch, winning 4 of their last 10 games. The Canadiens have struggled lately, only winning 3 of their last 10. Playing at Centre Bell, the Canadiens might have some support, but they have had a tough time overall this season. The Sabres have a good mix of players, with most of them shooting left, which can create interesting scoring chances. This matchup looks pretty even, but I'm leaning towards the Sabres for the 3rd period because they seem to have a bit more momentum. Just remember, the Canadiens will be looking to turn things around, so it could be close.

Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Under 25.5 Saves (-105)

For this bet to hit, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen needs to make fewer than 26 saves against the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens have only won three of their last ten games, which means they are struggling to score goals consistently. With their current form, it's likely they won't put too many shots on net tonight. On the other side, Luukkonen and the Buffalo Sabres have a decent chance to keep the Canadiens in check. With a team that has been shaky, the Canadiens might not test him too much. However, the risk is that the Canadiens could surprise and have a better night than expected, putting more shots on goal.

Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres: Cole Caufield Under 3.5 Shots on Goal (-141)

Cole Caufield has been a standout for the Canadiens, but he's only reached 4 shots on goal in 3 of his last 10 games. The Sabres have also been tightening up defensively, which makes it tricky for players to rack up shots. Playing at Centre Bell can boost energy, but with the Canadiens struggling to find their rhythm this season, things could be tough for Caufield. The risk here is that Caufield could get a few chances if the game turns into a wild one. However, considering how both teams have been performing lately, betting on him to have under 3.5 shots on goal feels like a smart move. It's a good chance by our numbers, but remember, no bet is a sure thing.

Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres: Chris Kreider Under 0.5 Goals (-323)

At Centre Bell, the Montreal Canadiens have struggled lately, winning just 3 out of their last 10 games. They will face the Buffalo Sabres, who have fared a bit better with 4 wins in their last 10. Both teams are still finding their rhythm this season, making it tough to predict a high-scoring game. Chris Kreider will be key in this matchup. With both teams showing some inconsistency in scoring, betting on him to score under 0.5 goals seems like a smart choice. The Sabres have a lot of left shooters, which could make things tricky for Kreider. It's worth noting that the close competition means this bet could go either way, but the numbers suggest it's a solid pick.

That is everything our model likes in this game. Prices can move before you get on, so check the board at your bookmaker. Bet what you can afford to lose. If betting stops being fun, take a break.