The Montreal Canadiens will look to snap a six-game losing streak with a win over the Buffalo Sabres at the KeyBank Center on Monday, November 11.
While Buffalo has won three straight, my top Canadiens vs. Sabres predictions and NHL picks expect the new-look Montreal top line featuring Juraj Slafkovsky to have a solid afternoon.
Canadiens vs Sabres prediction
My Canadiens pick
Juraj Slafkovsky Over 1.5 shots (-135 at BET99)
My Canadiens analysis
Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis has returned winger Juraj Slafkovsky to the No. 1 line alongside center Nick Suzuki, and I’m anticipating the switch being a big boost for the Slovak winger.
Slafkovsky and Suzuki have shared the ice at five-on-five for 88:43 this season with a high-end 4.73 goals per 60 minutes. They posted a solid 3.68 mark in the second half of last season when Slafkovsky broke out for 35 points (16 goals) and an average of 2.43 shots per night across the final 40 games.
I’m also anticipating statistical correction ahead of the possession numbers. Suzuki and Slafkovsky have a miserable 42.9 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5 this season after posting a respectable 49.8% mark during last year’s highlighted stretch.
Additionally, a big difference Monday is that it’ll be Habs forward Kirby Dach on the top line and not Cole Caufield. Caulfield is a shoot-first winger, and he has the lowest CF% at 5-on-5 this season of the four highlighted Habs forwards. It’s also the case when adjusted for score and venue.
The Suzuki-Slafkovsky-Dach line jumped the boards for 4:24 at 5-on-5 Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs and had six shot attempts to Toronto’s one, and they remained intact during Sunday’s practice.
It’s obviously a small sample, but the trio also all skate on the top power-play unit, so I’m expecting the new-look No. 1 line to have chemistry and tread water in the possession game Monday afternoon. And, with Caufield skating on the second line, there will be more shooting opportunities for Slafkovsky.
Canadiens vs Sabres same-game parlay (SGP)
Juraj Slafkovsky Over 1.5 shots
Rasmus Dahlin Over 2.5 shots
Rasmus Dahlin Over 0.5 points
Montreal allows the sixth-most shots per game and third-most to opposing defensemen, and Buffalo Sabres No. 1 Rasmus Dahlin logs a team-high 24:24 per night while ranking third in shots (42) and second in attempts (103) for the club. He’s on the No. 1 power-play unit and has three or more shots in six consecutive games.
Dahlin has also marked the scoresheet in five of the six highlighted games with two tallies and four helpers during the heater. Of course, the Canadiens have also surrendered a league-high 4.07 goals per game with a 31st-ranked 44.5 CF% at 5-on-5.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Canadiens vs Sabres odds
Canadiens vs Sabres live odds
Canadiens vs Sabres opening odds
- Puck line: Montreal +1.5 | Buffalo -1.5
- Moneyline: Montreal +174 | Buffalo -200
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 | Under 6.5
Odds courtesy of BET99
Canadiens vs Sabres trend
Juraj Slafkovsky has recorded two or more shots in four of his past six games. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Sabres.
How to watch Canadiens vs Sabres
| Location: | KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY |
| Date: | Monday, 11-11-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 12:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | RDS, TSN2 |
Canadiens vs Sabres latest injuries
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