Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 2/21/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (-115) Canadiens (-106)

The Buffalo Sabres (24-27-4) are headed to Bell Centre on Wednesday where they will go up against the Montreal Canadiens (22-25-8). The odds on this game have the Sabres at -115 and the Canadiens are coming in at -106. The total has been set at 7.

The Buffalo Sabres were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 4-3 loss to the Ducks in their previous game. The Sabres played like an average offensive team in the loss. For the matchup, they tallied a score on 3 of the 37 shots they put on goal. Moreover, they had 2 power play tries and were able to notch 1 goal. Buffalo garnered 4 mins in the box in this game.

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While playing at even strength, the Sabres have surrendered 135 goals while getting 138 themselves. Buffalo Sabres opponents have recorded 168 power play opportunities (20th in pro hockey) and have racked up 34 goals in those attempts. In regard to their scoring capabilities, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 161 goals (20th in pro hockey) for the season and have given up 169. Buffalo has taken 1,749 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.2%. For the current campaign, the have a total of 52 points and their points % is .473. The Sabres thus far have had 1,601 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .894. Buffalo has 158 power play chances and they have notched 23 goals during those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 14.56%.

The man protecting the net in this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Throughout his time in hockey, Luukkonen has accumulated 37 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .507. His save percentage currently is at .902 in his 4,377 minutes guarding the cage. Luukkonen has seen 2,305 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 2,079 total saves. The opposition has been able to score 226 goals against Luukkonen in his pro hockey career and his goals against average is 3.10. He has earned a mark of 34-33-8 and he started in 73 games. Luukkonen has been in goal for 77 games throughout his hockey career.

The last time they were on the ice, Montreal went up against the Capitals in a matchup where the Canadiens took the defeat by a mark of 4-3. They had 3 chances on the power play in this game and scored 1 out of those opportunities. The Canadiens recorded 3 goals out of the 31 shots on goal they took.

Montreal has attempted 1,557 shots (27th in hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 9.83%, while allowing the opposition 1,856 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 73.96% on the other teams 192 chances on the power play, and their save percentage currently comes in at 89.5%. They have a total of 184 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 20.11%. The Canadiens have earned 116 goals at even strength and 37 goals (15th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have granted a total of 194 goals to be scored by of a combination of 144 goals at even strength and 50 goals while they were shorthanded. On the season, the Montreal Canadiens have a total of 153 goals, 52 points, in addition to a points percentage of .473.

For the opposition you are going to see Sam Montembeault defending the net. Opponents are averaging 3.43 goals per game and he has allowed 407 goals in total. Montembeault's quality start rate is 51.3% and he has accumulated 58 quality starts in his professional career. He got the starting nod in 113 games and has played for a total of 7,120 mins. Montembeault has amassed a career mark of 45-54-16 and has been in net for 129 contests. He has recorded 3,554 stops out of the 3,961 shots taken, giving him a save % of .897.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo (-115)

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