Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens: Game preview, predictions and odds | December 17, 2024

The Buffalo Sabres are on the road to play the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. Buffalo (11-16-4) is coming off a 5-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Montreal (11-16-3) is coming off a 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

Sabres vs Canadiens: Head-to-head & key stats

• Buffalo is 136-118-31-12 all-time against Montreal
• The Sabres are 5-7-1 on the road
• Montreal is allowing 3.73 goals per game
• Buffalo is averaging 2.93 goals per game
• The Habs are averaging 2.7 goals per game
• The Sabres are allowing 3.3 goals per game
• Montreal is 8-7-2 at home

Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens: Preview

Buffalo is on a 10-game losing streak and hasn't won since Nov. 23. The Sabres are led by Tage Thompson, who has 25 points. Alex Tuch has 25 points, Jason Zucker has 21 points, JJ Peterka has 20 points and Rasmus Dahlin has 19 points.

The Sabres are set to start Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who's 8-9-3 with a 2.80 GAA and a .903 SV%. In his career against Montreal, he's 1-0 with a 3.61 GAA and a .878 SV%.

Montreal, meanwhile, is on a two-game losing streak and will turn to Sam Montembeault on Tuesday. Montembeault, who's 9-13-2, has a 3.01 GAA and a .900 SV%. Against Buffalo in his career, Montembeault is 3-5 with a 3.34 GAA and a .899 SV%.

Montreal is led by Nick Suzuki, who has 30 points. Cole Caufield has 27 points, Lane Hutson has 20 points and Mike Matheson has 16 points.

Sabres vs Canadiens: Odds & Prediction

Buffalo is a -130 favorite while Montreal is a +110 underdog. The over/under is set at six goals.

This is a good spot for Buffalo to end the streak on the road. Montreal has struggled this season, as the Habs play poor defensively and give up too many chances.

Luukkonen, meanwhile, has played well this season as he's been a bright spot for the Sabres. He should be able to limit Montreal's chances here as Buffalo edges out a high-scoring game.

Prediction: Sabres 5, Montreal 3

Sabres vs Canadiens: Betting Tips

Tip 1: Buffalo ML (-130)

Tip 2: Over 6 goals (-115)

Tip 3: Cole Caufield 3+ shots on goal (-150)

Tip 4: Owen Power 2+ shots on goal (-155)