Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 3/1/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (-144) Sabres (+120)

KeyBank Center is the location where the Buffalo Sabres (24-27-5) will go up against the Montreal Canadiens (27-26-5) on Saturday. The moneyline on this game has the Canadiens at -144 and the Sabres are priced at +120. The total comes in at 6.

The Montreal Canadiens were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 4-0 victory against the Hurricanes in the last game they played. Montreal compiled 6 minutes in the box in this contest. In addition, they had 5 power play opportunities and netted 2 goals. The Canadiens played really well in the win. In the game, they scored on 4 of the 18 shots they tried.

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When it comes to their goal scoring prowess, the Montreal Canadiens have racked up 170 goals (17th in the National Hockey League) for the season and have given up 194. For the season, they have accumulated 59 points and their points percentage sits at .509. Montreal has accumulated 171 power play opportunities and they have scored 37 goals out of those attempts, earning them a rate of 21.64%. At even strength, the Canadiens have allowed the opponent to score 159 goals while scoring 133 when they are on offense. Montreal has taken 1,501 shots and has a shooting percentage of 11.3%. The Canadiens thus far have had 1,681 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .885. Montreal Canadiens opponents have earned 192 power play opportunities (1st in hockey) and have scored 35 goals in those chances.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Sam Montembeault. Over the course of his pro career, Montembeault has 89 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .524. His save percentage is at .898 for his 8,099 mins guarding the cage. Montembeault has seen 5,584 shot attempts taken against him and has amassed 5,015 saves. Opponents have racked up 569 goals against Montembeault in his pro career and his goals against average per game is 4.22. He has amassed an overall mark of 69-81-24 and he has started in 170 games. Montembeault has been involved in 188 matchups throughout his pro hockey career.

In their last game, Buffalo played the Ducks in a matchup where the Sabres ended up with the victory by a tally of 3-2. The Sabres converted 3 goals of the 35 shots on goal they attempted. They had 3 power play opportunities in this contest but weren't able to score a goal.

For the season, the Buffalo Sabres have earned a total of 180 goals, 53 points, as well as a points percentage of .473. They have allowed 188 goals to be scored by way of 150 goals at even strength and 38 goals while they were shorthanded. The Sabres have earned 153 goals at even strength and 27 goals (27th in the league) while on the power play. They have recorded 162 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play rate of 16.67%. Buffalo has tried 1,570 shots (27th in hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 11.46%, while allowing the other team 1,621 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 77.51% on the other teams 169 power play opportunities, and their save percentage sits at 88.4%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen patrolling the crease. The opposition is averaging 4.15 goals per game and he has relinquished 402 goals overall. Luukkonen's quality start rate sits at 54.7% and he has made 75 quality starts in his career. He was named a starter in 137 games and has accumulated 5,810 minutes. Luukkonen has earned a career record of 67-57-14 and has played in 141 games. He has accrued 3,676 stops out of the 4,078 shots attempted, giving him a save % of .901.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Montreal (-144)

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