Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres Betting Pick & Prediction for Game 7 on 5/18

bangthebook nhl game preview

The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres meet in Game 7 of their playoff series. The series is tied 3-3, making this game a must-win for both teams. The game will take place at KeyBank Center on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 7:30 PM and will be broadcast on ESPN.

The Canadiens have a postseason record of 7-6, with a strong away performance of 5-2. Their recent streak includes a loss. Meanwhile, the Sabres hold a postseason record of 7-5, with a similar home record of 2-4. They are coming off a win and will aim to use home advantage in this deciding game.

Canadiens vs Sabres Game Day Info

  • Sport: NHL
  • Teams: Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
  • Venue: KeyBank Center
  • Date: Monday, May 18, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Buffalo Sabres MoneyLine -117, Montreal Canadiens MoneyLine -101

Montreal Canadiens Team Preview

The Montreal Canadiens have had a mixed postseason so far. In their recent game against the Buffalo Sabres, they lost 8-3. They managed 22 shots on goal, with one power play goal and 31 hits.

Despite the recent loss, the Canadiens showed strong play in earlier games. They won 6-3 in Game 5 against the Sabres. Their top skaters, like Nick Suzuki and Ivan Demidov, made key contributions in that victory.

Jakub Dobes has been the main goalie for the Canadiens. He has played 13 games, with 7 wins and 326 saves. However, he struggled in the recent loss, allowing 6 goals on 33 shots.

Buffalo Sabres Team Preview

The Buffalo Sabres have shown strength in their recent postseason games. They had a big win against the Montreal Canadiens, scoring 8 goals in Game 6. Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson led the charge with multiple points each.

In the 2026 postseason, the Sabres have scored 41 goals, ranking second. Their power play is effective with 10 goals. They also rank high in shots on goal and takeaways, showing strong offensive play.

Tage Thompson is a key player for the Sabres, with 15 points in 12 games. Rasmus Dahlin also contributes significantly with 13 points. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been reliable, with 98 saves in 5 games.

BTB Betting Pick

For the moneyline pick, the Buffalo Sabres are favored at -117. They have shown strong postseason performance, with a 1-0 record in the Eastern Semifinals. The Sabres’ offensive stats, such as goals and shots on goal, indicate they have the edge over the Canadiens. The projected score is Buffalo 3, Montreal 2.

For the over/under pick, the total is set at 5.5. Both teams have demonstrated scoring capabilities in the postseason, with Montreal leading in power play goals and Buffalo close behind in overall goals. The projected total of 5 aligns with taking the under at -115.