Montreal vs Buffalo Prediction 13 October 2026
🔊 The last time Montreal and Buffalo faced off, Alex Newhook netted the overtime winner in Game 7 of the playoffs. Since then, these rivals haven’t crossed paths, but they’re set to clash again at the Bell Centre. The Canadiens come into this matchup off an unusual win over Detroit-a game that remained scoreless through 65 minutes. The Sabres, on the other hand, are fresh from a high-scoring contest against Florida. However, their victory was overshadowed by the unfortunate injury to their captain.
Seven matches proved to be not enough
📊 Last season, these teams faced off 11 times. In the regular season, they traded wins, each side claiming two victories-every game decided by a two-goal margin. Their rivalry intensified in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where they battled through a full seven-game series. The decisive clash took place in Buffalo, with Montreal edging out a 3-2 overtime win. Alex Newhook netted the game-winner in the 72nd minute. For the Sabres, this upcoming matchup marks their first shot at redemption after that heartbreaking loss.
Head-to-head statistics Montreal - Buffalo
They’ve shored up their defense, but their power play still needs work.
Two wins in five games is hardly the start Montreal had in mind. Their defensive performance, in particular, has raised concerns: between those two victories, Martin St. Louis’ side conceded 17 goals over three games. Their latest outing, though, offered some reassurance, as the Canadiens managed to tighten up at the back. Still, offensive issues persist. Montreal is converting on just 5.9% of their power plays-only one team in the league fares worse in that department. To make matters worse, they’re without Oliver Kapanen, Ivan Demidov, and Samuel Montembeault, while Florian Xhekaj remains a doubt.
The matchup with Detroit unfolded in unusual fashion. Across three periods and overtime, neither side managed to find the net, with both teams firing 30 shots on goal and racking up eight penalty minutes apiece. Once again, Montreal failed to capitalize on the man advantage but successfully killed off all four Red Wings power plays. The standout was Jacob Fowler, who turned aside all 30 shots over 65 minutes and denied six more attempts in the shootout. Zachary Bolduc was the only player to score, netting the shootout winner as the Canadiens snapped their losing streak with a 1-0 victory. Adding to the positives, Kaiden Guhle made his return after missing training camp and the start of the season following summer surgery.
Match Results: Montreal Canadiens
Five goals and the captain sidelined
Buffalo have claimed victory in three of their first six games, though five of those contests were played at home. The results have been a mixed bag. The Sabres opened with back-to-back defeats against Dallas (0-4) and Utah (1-4), struggling to generate offense in both outings. It’s not just about a lack of scoring chances: Buffalo are converting just 7.9% of their shots, while opponents are capitalizing on 18.9% of their attempts on target. After six games, Lindy Ruff’s side sit on six points. They travelled to Montreal without Connor Timmins, Alex Lyon, and Jason Zucker, and now Rasmus Dahlin has joined the list of absentees. The captain suffered an upper-body injury against Florida and did not make the trip with the team.
Against the Panthers, Buffalo had to take the lead four separate times. Josh Doan broke the deadlock, Dahlin scored on the power play, and Ryan McLeod notched his first goal of the season. Florida kept answering back, but in the third period, Noah Östlund put the Sabres ahead once more, and Tage Thompson sealed a 5-3 win. The hosts outshot their opponents 32-23 and converted twice on the power play. Still, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Dahlin left the ice early in the second period, and later Ruff replaced Colten Ellis with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in net. The Finnish goalie helped preserve the lead, but afterward Ruff singled out his team’s penalty kill as a concern. Florida, who had struggled on the power play prior to this matchup, managed to punish Buffalo twice with the man advantage.
Match Results: Buffalo Sabres
Prediction for the 1st period
In each of the last seven meetings between Montreal and Buffalo, at least two goals have been scored before the first intermission. When the Canadiens play at home, this trend has held true in six of their previous seven head-to-head clashes. It’s not just a quirk of this matchup either: Montreal have seen the first period go over 1.5 goals in 15 of their last 17 games, while Buffalo’s road games have hit that mark in nine out of ten outings. The pick: First period total over 1.5 goals.
Total Prediction
Montreal rarely puts up five goals in a game. In eight of their last nine outings, the Canadiens have scored no more than four times, and that streak extends to seven consecutive home games. Their ongoing struggles on the power play only make things tougher. Even in their recent win over Detroit, the hosts failed to score in regulation or overtime. The pick here is Montreal Individual Total Under 4.5 Goals.Match Outcome Prediction
Regulation wins have become a rarity for Montreal lately. The Canadiens have failed to secure victory in 60 minutes in eight of their last nine games, and on home ice, they have managed just one regulation win in their past 12 outings. Even their recent clash with Detroit went all the way to a shootout. Buffalo, meanwhile, have already taken down Florida and look poised to capitalize on the hosts’ struggles in front of goal. The recommended bet is Buffalo double chance in regulation (X2).⭐️ Editor’s Prediction
After Montreal’s goalless draw with Detroit, backing a high-scoring game might not seem like the obvious call. However, that one result hardly negates the Canadiens’ recent track record: three of their last four games have featured at least seven goals. On top of that, these teams know each other well after last season’s lengthy playoff series.
Buffalo also bring plenty to the table offensively. Following two heavy defeats, the Sabres put five past Florida-although they did let their opponents draw level three times. In three of the last five head-to-head clashes between Montreal and Buffalo, the teams have combined for at least eight goals. My pick is over 5.5 total goals.
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Betting Tips: Montreal Canadiens - Buffalo Sabres
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in 8 of last 9 home games against Buffalo Sabres (NHL).in last 7 games (NHL).Other predictions
