- Matchup: Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres
- Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
- Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
- Broadcast: TNT
- Betting Odds: Canadiens (+114) Sabres (-135)
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The Buffalo Sabres (50-23-9) are set to host the Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10) on Friday for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Buffalo currently leads the series 1-0. The betting odds place Montreal at +114 while Buffalo stands at -135, with a total set at 5.5.
After a 4-2 loss in Game 1, the Montreal Canadiens will be looking to rebound. They recorded 6 penalty minutes in the previous matchup, managing only 2 power play opportunities, converting 1 into a goal. The Canadiens’ offensive performance was underwhelming, scoring just 2 goals from 28 shots on net.
This season, the Montreal Canadiens have scored a total of 279 goals (ranking 7th in the NHL) while conceding 251. They amassed 106 points with a points percentage of .646. The Canadiens capitalized on 242 power play opportunities, scoring 56 goals for a success rate of 23.14%. At even strength, they allowed 197 goals while scoring 223. With 2,156 total shots taken, their shooting percentage stands at 12.9%. Defensively, they faced 2,283 shots and have a save percentage of .890. Montreal’s opponents have made 248 power play attempts (ranking 8th) and scored 54 goals in those situations.
Jakub Dobes will be between the pipes for this matchup. Over his NHL career, Dobes has played 59 games, posting a record of 36-14-7 with 57 starts. He has conceded 157 goals, averaging 2.75 per game. In total, he has faced 1,627 shots, registering 1,470 saves for a save percentage of .904 across 953 minutes of ice time. Dobes has recorded 35 quality starts, boasting a rate of .614.
Buffalo showcased an impressive performance in Game 1 on both offense and defense. They capitalized on 3 power play opportunities, scoring twice, and tallied 4 goals out of 16 shots attempted.
This season, the Buffalo Sabres have accumulated 283 goals and 109 points, with a points percentage of .665. They allowed 240 goals, accounting for 198 goals conceded at even strength and 42 goals while shorthanded. The Sabres netted 235 goals at even strength and 48 goals (ranked 18th) on the power play from 246 opportunities, leading to a power play percentage of 19.51%. Buffalo has taken 2,307 shots (13th in the league), with a shooting percentage of 12.27%, while letting their opponents fire 2,381 shots. They currently hold an 81.90% penalty kill rate against 232 power play attempts, with a save percentage of 89.9%.
On the other end, Alex Lyon will be in goal. The average goals allowed per game is 2.95, with Lyon conceding a total of 395 goals. His quality start percentage is 55.2%, and he has achieved 74 quality starts throughout his career. Lyon has started 134 games, logging a total of 6,072 minutes. His career record stands at 71-48-15 across 149 games, with 3,670 saves out of 4,065 shots, yielding a save percentage of .903.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s NHL clash against the spread or on the moneyline?
Pick: Bet on Buffalo (-135)
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