Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, Preview and Odds - 01/22/2026

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Thursday, January 22, 2026

Venue:  Centre Bell, Montréal, QC

Where to Watch:  ESPN+

DraftKings:  Moneyline:  Sabres +114, Canadiens -135; Over/Under:  6.5 goals

Bet365:  Moneyline:  Sabres +115, Canadiens -135; Over/Under:  6.5 goals

BetMGM:  Moneyline:  Sabres +115, Canadiens -135; Over/Under:  6.5 goals

Buffalo Sabres:  27-17-5 (4th place, Atlantic Division)

Montreal Canadiens:  28-15-7 (3rd place, Atlantic Division)

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Buffalo Sabres:  6-3-1 last 10

Montreal Canadiens:  6-3-1 last 10

The Sabres are entering this game with 59 points, a 27-17-5 record overall, and they are 11-11-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Nashville Predators in their last game, winning that one on the road 5-3. Noah Östlund led the team in goals scored with 2 while Konsta Helenius, Peyton Krebs, and Tage Thompson each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Konsta Helenius led the team in assists with 2 while Jack Quinn led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Alex Lyon was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 34 shots with 31 saves and a .912 save percentage. Their offense has scored 163 goals this season averaging 3.3 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 153 goals against them allowing 3.1 goals per game.

The Canadiens are entering this game with 63 points, a 28-15-7 record overall, and they are 14-10-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Minnesota Wild in their last game, winning that one at home 4-3. Lane Hutson, Alexandre Carrier, Cole Caufield, and Phillip Danault each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Ivan Demidov led the team in assists with 2 while Alexandre Carrier led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Jakub Dobeš was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 19 shots with 16 saves and a .842 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 172 goals this season averaging 3.4 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 167 goals against them allowing 3.3 goals per game.

The current betting odds have the Canadiens listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Canadiens have looked good in their games this season with their 28-15-7 record overall which has them right near the top of their division in the East. They have looked good on home ice too with their 14-10-1 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Sabres have looked good in their games this season with their 27-17-5 record overall which has them in the top half of their division in the East. They haven't been a good road team though with their 11-11-2 road record this year. The Sabres have improved a lot this season as they are currently in the playoff race in the East. They have one of the longest playoff droughts in major North American sports and they have been turning things around this season. They are off a win over the Predators in their last one and they have looked good lately as they are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, but they have also been cooling off more after being so hot the last few weeks. The Sabres are starting to come back down to Earth now and the Canadiens have been a steady team in the East all season. The Canadiens are off a win over the Wild in their last one and they have also been rolling in their games lately as they are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. The Sabres have looked like a different team in their road games this season too, even during their hot streak, so look for the Canadiens to edge them out here with the home advantage. The best way to place a bet here is on the Canadiens to win this game. 

Sabres Canadiens Prediction:  Our NHL Pick for Thursday, January 22, 2026 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Canadiens 4 Sabres 3.

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Buffalo Sabres: 55-48 (+15.8 units) on the moneyline after playing a road game. 28-27 (+7.8 units) on the moneyline when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 58-67 (+7.7 units) on the moneyline against explosive offensive teams - scoring 3+ goals/game. 18-10 OVER against poor offensive teams - averaging 26.5 shots on goal per game or less.

Montreal Canadiens: 46-78 (-19.9 units) on the moneyline revenging a loss versus opponent as a favorite. 16-33 (-14.4 units) on the moneyline when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 47-60 (-3.7 units) on the moneyline after playing a home game. 37-24 OVER revenging a loss vs opponent as a road favorite.

Buffalo Sabres:  M. Kesselring (D) Day To Day - Undisclosed. J. Norris (C) Out - Ribs. J. Dunne (C) Out - Middle-body. C. Timmins (D) Out - Leg. J. Kulich (C) Out - Ear. J. Danforth (RW) Out - Lower Body.

Montreal Canadiens:  A. Texier (LW) Day To Day - Lower Body. P. Laine (RW) Out - Abdomen. A. Newhook (C) Out - Ankle.

“They were the best line by far. Skated well, made every play. Every time they were on the ice they were in the offensive zone. They had six, seven shots on goal. That’s the type of energy you need.” - Lindy Ruff after his team’s win against the Predators in their game on Tuesday.

“We just found a way to keep the puck alive, and luckily it went in. That’s why you play the full 60 or 65, whatever it is. They all count the same, but it feels good to get two points tonight.” - Cole Caufield after their win against the Wild in their game on Tuesday.

LW Zach Benson

C Tage Thompson

RW Alex Tuch

LD Mattias Samuelsson

RD Rasmus Dahlin

G Alex Lyon

LW Cole Caufield

C Nick Suzuki

RW Kirby Dach

LD Mike Matheson

RD Noah Dobson

G Jakub Dobes

Points: Tage Thompson (51)

Goals: Tage Thompson (26)

Assists: Rasmus Dahlin (29)

GAA: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (2.69)

Points: Nick Suzuki (55)

Goals: Cole Caufield (25)

Assists: Lane Hutson (43)

GAA: Jacob Fowler (2.62)

Coaches:

Buffalo Sabres: Lindy Ruff (2nd season)

Montreal Canadiens: Martin St. Louis (5th season)