Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres Betting Pick & Prediction for NHL Regular Season on 1/31

bangthebook nhl game preview

The Montreal Canadiens will travel to face the Buffalo Sabres at the KeyBank Center. The game is set for Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Fans can catch the action on NHLN.

The Canadiens have a record of 30-17-7 this season. They rank 4th in the Eastern Atlantic Division. The Sabres hold a 31-17-5 record and sit in 3rd place in the same division. Both teams are looking to improve their standings with a win.

Canadiens vs Sabres Game Day Info

  • Sport: NHL
  • Teams: Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
  • Venue: KeyBank Center
  • Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Montreal Canadiens +112, Buffalo Sabres -133

Montreal Canadiens Team Preview

The Montreal Canadiens are coming off a strong performance against the Colorado Avalanche. They scored seven goals on 28 shots and managed one power play goal. Nick Suzuki stood out with two goals and one assist, while Juraj Slafkovsky also contributed with a goal and an assist.

In the recent game against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Canadiens secured a narrow victory. They scored three goals on 26 shots without converting any power plays. Cole Caufield was a key player, netting one goal and taking five shots on goal.

Throughout the season, Montreal has been effective in scoring, ranking third in goals with 185. They also rank high in hits and blocks, showing a strong defensive presence. The team has had ups and downs in goaltending, with Sam Montembeault playing 22 games and securing nine wins.

Buffalo Sabres Team Preview

The Buffalo Sabres have been on a roll in their recent games. They secured a 4-1 victory against the Los Angeles Kings at home. Alex Tuch led the way with three goals, while Jack Quinn added three assists.

Earlier, the Sabres defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-4 in an away game. Rasmus Dahlin was a standout player, scoring three goals and providing two assists. The team managed 31 shots on goal, converting one on the power play.

Their defense has been solid, as seen in their 5-0 win over the New York Islanders. Goalie Alex Lyon achieved a shutout, saving all 26 shots. Jason Zucker contributed with two goals, further boosting the team’s performance.

BTB Betting Pick

The Buffalo Sabres are favored to win against the Montreal Canadiens with a moneyline of -133. Montreal’s moneyline is +112. Given the Sabres’ stronger offensive stats, with higher goals and assists, the recommendation is to pick the Sabres to win. The projected score is Buffalo 4, Montreal 3.

The over/under for the game is set at 6.5 goals. The Sabres have a higher goals against rank, suggesting more goals might be scored. The recommendation is to go with the over at 6.5 (-121). The projected total score is 7 goals, indicating a high-scoring game.