Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres 17 October 2026 Prediction

Montreal and Buffalo meet for the second time this season. The Sabres lost their first meeting and a seven-game playoff series to the Canadiens last season. Montreal’s uneven start gives Buffalo a chance to reverse that result.

Montreal’s Defensive Struggles Continue

The Canadiens have allowed at least five goals in four of their first seven games, losing all four. They won their other three. Montreal lost 5-4 at Washington in its most recent game despite taking the lead twice. Josh Anderson scored twice.

Special teams were also a problem against Washington. Montreal gave up two goals while shorthanded and another during its own power play. The Canadiens have converted 13.7% of their power-play chances, the sixth-lowest rate in the league. They have seven points through seven games and sit outside the Eastern Conference playoff spots.

Montreal Predicted Lineup: Dobes (Fowler) — Hutson, Dobson — Caufield, Suzuki, Slafkovsky

Full Roster: Defensemen — Carrier, Guhle, A. Xhekaj, Engstrom; forwards — Anderson, Newhook, Kreider, Bolduc, Danault, Texier, Beck, Evans, Dach

Unavailable: Kapanen, Demidov, Montembeault, F. Xhekaj (injured); Matheson (questionable)

Manager: Martin St. Louis

Buffalo Has Won Four of Eight Games

Buffalo has won four of its first eight games despite dealing with several injuries. The Sabres came back from a 4-2 third-period deficit to win 5-4 in overtime at Toronto in their most recent game.

Jack Quinn had two goals and two assists. Lindy Ruff’s team allows just 23.7 shots on goal per game, the fifth-fewest in the league. Faceoffs have been a weakness: Buffalo has won 46.6% of them, ranking 26th.

Buffalo Predicted Lineup: Luukkonen (Ellis) — Samuelsson, Zellweger — Krebs, Thompson, Doan

Full Roster: Defensemen — Power, Metsa, Gilbert, Crevier; forwards — Benson, Ostlund, Quinn, Kozak, McLeod, Helenius, Carrick, Danforth, Malenstyn

Unavailable: Timmins, Lyon, Zucker, Grzelcyk (injured); Norris, Kulich, Dahlin (questionable)

Manager: Lindy Ruff

Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres: Head-to-Head Results

Montreal won the teams’ first meeting this season 4-3 in a shootout at home, outshooting Buffalo 38-16. They met 11 times last season. The Canadiens won their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series 4-3, while each team won twice in the regular season.

Key Stats

Buffalo has lost the second period in each of its last six games.

Montreal has ended the first period tied in each of its last four games.

The Sabres allow 2.73 expected goals per game, a top-10 defensive mark in the league.

Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction: Canadiens Moneyline at 1.70

Main prediction: Montreal has won its last two home games. Buffalo has lost four of its last five road games, including three this season, and the Canadiens won their recent meeting in Montreal. The pick is Montreal to win, including overtime and shootout, at 1.70. Predicted score: 3-2.

Goals prediction: Each of the last two meetings had no more than six goals in regulation. Buffalo’s last six games have averaged 5.8 regulation goals. The pick is under 6.5 goals in regulation at 1.72.