- Matchup: Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres
- Date: Monday, May 18, 2026
- Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
- Broadcast: ESPN
- Betting Odds: Canadiens (-108) Sabres (-112)
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In a thrilling Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Buffalo Sabres (50-23-9) will host the Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10) at KeyBank Center on Monday. The betting odds feature the Canadiens at -108 and the Sabres at -112, with a total score line set at 5.5.
After suffering a disappointing 8-3 defeat to the Sabres in Game 6, the Montreal Canadiens are eager to strengthen their defensive strategy. During that game, they faced a hefty 58 minutes of penalties and had 3 power-play opportunities, successfully scoring on just one. Offensively, the Canadiens could not capitalize despite taking 22 shots, managing to net only 3 goals.
This season, opponents of the Montreal Canadiens have capitalized on 248 power-play chances (ranking 8th in the league), scoring 54 goals. The Canadiens have faced 2,283 shots against, with a save percentage of .890. They themselves have attempted 2,156 shots and have a shooting percentage of 12.9%. At even strength, they’ve conceded 197 goals while scoring 223. This season, they’ve executed 242 power-play opportunities, finding the net 56 times, yielding a conversion rate of 23.14%. Overall, the Canadiens have accumulated 106 points, maintaining a points percentage of .646. In terms of scoring, they have tallied 279 goals (7th best in the league) while allowing 251 against.
In goal tonight will be Jakub Dobes. Over his career, Dobes has secured 35 quality starts, boasting a quality start percentage of .614. His save percentage is currently .904 over 953 minutes in the net. He has faced 1,627 shots, recording 1,470 saves, while opponents have scored 157 goals against him, leading to a goals-against average of 2.75. Dobes holds a career tally of 36 wins, 14 losses, and 7 overtime losses, starting in 57 games throughout his tenure in the NHL.
The Sabres showcased an explosive offensive performance in Game 6, scoring 8 goals from 36 shots on net, and converted 4 out of 6 power-play opportunities.
At even strength, Buffalo has registered 235 goals and 48 goals via power play (ranking 18th in the league). Their total shots attempted this season stand at 2,307 (13th in the NHL), with a shooting percentage of 12.27%. On defense, they’ve allowed 2,381 shots against. This season, the Sabres have scored a total of 283 goals, accumulated 109 points along with a points percentage of .665. They’ve given up 240 goals, with 198 occurring at even strength and 42 while shorthanded. Their power-play opportunities total 246, with a conversion rate of 19.51%. Their penalty-kill efficiency stands at 81.90%, having allowed 232 power-play attempts, while their save percentage is at 89.9%.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to guard the net for the Sabres. He has allowed an average of 2.91 goals per game, with a total of 538 goals scored against him. Luukkonen boasts a quality start percentage of 55.1%, having recorded 102 quality starts throughout his career, which spans 185 games and 8,299 minutes. His career stats include a record of 93 wins, 74 losses, and 18 overtime losses across 190 games, achieving 4,830 saves from 5,368 shots faced, leading to a save percentage of .900.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s match against the spread or moneyline?
Pick: Bet on Montreal (-108)
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