NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Sabres vs Canadiens (Wednesday, February 21)

Wednesday, Feb. 21

7 p.m. ET

ESPN+

Sabres Odds	-130
Canadiens Odds	+110
Over / Under	6.5 -125 / +105

Odds via bet365. Get up-to-the-minute NHL odds here.

Here's everything you need to know about the Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadians on Wednesday, February 21 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.

Buffalo has been the model of inconsistency for years, and this year is no different. The Sabres fell to the Ducks by the score of 4-3 on Monday but could never gain any momentum. The Sabres can destroy teams on any given night but then get shutout the next game, so you never know what you’ll get.

The Canadiens have had similar luck, just not on the same scale as their counterparts. They’ve fallen twice in a row to both the Capitals and the Rangers and have gone 3-6-1 in their last 10 games.

Find my Sabres vs. Canadiens prediction and NHL betting preview below.

There is a load of talent on this Sabres roster, but it feels like they’ve all underperformed, with no one exceeding 20 goals or 50 points. Tage Thompson is having a down year, and second-year player JJ Peterka leads the team in goals with 19. Casey Mittelstadt leads in scoring with just 44 points while Rasmus Dahlin also continues to solidify himself as a premier defenseman.

Buffalo has had an extremely hard time generating 5-on-5 offense. In February, the Sabres rank 24th in Expected Goals with a 45.54 xGF% and are 18th defensively with a 2.75 xGA/60.

Last season, the Sabres had a high-octane power play, and now they’re 27th scoring just 14.6% of the time. However, their penalty kill is decent at nearly 80%.

While Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has had a really solid season, he was the sole reason for the Sabres' loss on Monday. He let up four goals on 14 shots, which is unlike him, considering he’s played to a solid .910 SV% and a 4.8 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx).

The NHL is starting to get acquainted with former top overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky. The 19-year-old winger is on an eight-game point streak, registering 12 points in that span. To top it off, captain Nick Suzuki is on a similar streak as he has scored points in 10 straight. Winger Cole Caufield is also on a tear with 18 points in his last 15 games.

For the most part, Montreal has hung around at 5-on-5 play. In February, it played to a 48.23 xGF%, which is a few points higher than its season-long 45.19 xGF%. Defensively, the Canadiens need to be better with a 2.99 xGA/60.

For the most part, the Habs do pretty well on the power play, scoring at a 20% clip. The penalty kill is a totally different story, as they’re second worst at 74%.

With Jake Allen starting most recently, expect to see Sam Montembeault tonight. He’s been a bit inconsistent, especially after letting up seven goals against the Rangers. Regardless, he still gives Montreal the best chance to win as he is playing to a .903 SV% and a -1.2 GSAx.

(Get the most out of your NHL betting action with our bet365 promo code!)

The Sabres are listed here as a pretty solid favorite — probably because they have a decent away record, while Montreal is 11-15-3 at home.

Nonetheless, the Canadiens have much more momentum going their way. Goaltending has not worked out the way they had hoped. Montembeault is starting to look shaky, and both Allen and Cayden Primeau haven’t provided the consistency needed. However, there are key players on both ends.

Buffalo’s forwards are all underperforming with the exception of Peterka and Mittelstadt. However, neither has been the game-breaker the Sabres need. For Montreal, the emergence of Slafkovsky, Suzuki and Caufield is paying dividends. Had goaltending been better, the Habs would at least be challenging for a playoff spot.

At plus-money, I’m backing Montreal to take this bout in front of its home fans.

Pick: Canadiens Moneyline +110

The must-have app for NHL bettors

The best NHL betting scoreboard

Free picks from proven pros

Live win probabilities for your bets

DOWNLOAD NOW