Canadiens vs Sabres Prediction & Odds - 3/3/2025

The Montreal Canadiens, riding a four-game winning streak and scoring an impressive 17 goals during that span, welcome the Buffalo Sabres to the Bell Centre for a crucial Atlantic Division matchup on Monday night.

Montreal's offensive trio of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky has been electric, combining for 57 goals and 101 assists this season, while the Sabres counter with their own dynamic duo of Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch, who have contributed 50 goals and 47 assists.

The Canadiens (29-26-5) find themselves just a few points out of a playoff spot, while the Sabres (24-29-5) look to snap a two-game losing streak and climb out of the Eastern Conference basement.

Both teams have shown offensive prowess this season, with Buffalo averaging 3.17 goals per game and Montreal finding their rhythm with nearly three goals per contest, though defensive struggles have plagued both sides.

The matchup features an intriguing battle between goaltenders Samuel Montembeault and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, both seeking to improve their save percentages which hover around the .900 mark.

As these Atlantic Division rivals prepare to face off, the combination of Montreal's recent momentum and Buffalo's desperate need for points sets the stage for what promises to be an entertaining hockey contest at the Bell Centre.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres preview

The Montreal Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre on Monday night in what promises to be an intriguing Atlantic Division matchup between two teams heading in opposite directions.

The Canadiens enter the contest riding an impressive four-game winning streak, having found their offensive rhythm with 17 goals during this stretch, while the struggling Sabres look to snap a two-game losing skid that has left them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Montreal's offensive surge has been led by the dynamic trio of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky, who have combined for an impressive 57 goals and 101 assists this season.

On the Buffalo side, the duo of Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season, contributing 50 goals and 47 assists between them.

Despite both teams showing offensive capabilities, their defensive struggles have been evident, with the Sabres allowing 3.40 goals per game and the Canadiens not far behind at 3.32.

The goaltending battle will feature Samuel Montembeault for the Canadiens and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the Sabres, with both netminders looking to improve on their sub-.900 save percentages this season.

An interesting subplot to watch will be the performance of young defensemen Lane Hutson and Mike Matheson for Montreal, who have contributed significantly to the team's offense from the blue line with a combined 8 goals and 64 assists.

The Canadiens, currently sitting sixth in the Atlantic Division, find themselves within striking distance of a playoff spot, adding extra significance to this home ice matchup.

With both teams' recent tendency to participate in high-scoring affairs, fans at the Bell Centre can expect an entertaining contest with plenty of offensive fireworks.

Given Montreal's recent momentum and home-ice advantage, they enter as slight favorites, but Buffalo's capability to score in bunches could make this a closer affair than the standings might suggest.