May 7, 2026, 11:24 p.m. ET

The Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres meet Friday in Game 2 of a second-round best-of-7 Eastern Conference series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Puck drop at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, is 7 p.m. ET (TNT / HBO Max). Let’s analyze NHL odds around the Canadiens vs. Sabres odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Best-of-7 series: Sabres lead 1-0

The Sabres protected home ice in Game 1 with a 4-2 win Wednesday, cashing as -142 favorites while the Over (5.5) hit. D Bowen Byram and C Ryan McLeod scored on back-to-back power plays to help swing momentum. RW Josh Doan and LW Jordan Greenway also found the net for Buffalo, which is making its first second-round playoff appearance since 2007, and its first postseason trip overall in 15 years.

The Canadiens looked a step behind in Game 1, still trying to recover after their emotional Game 7 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning just 3 days earlier. C Nick Suzuki and C Kirby Dach scored, but Montreal couldn’t keep pace. G Jakub Dobes stopped 12 shots and allowed 4 goals after giving up just 2 combined in Games 6 and 7 against Tampa Bay. The Canadiens still haven’t won back-to-back playoff games this postseason.

Watch the NHL on Fubo!Canadiens at Sabres odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:15 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Canadiens +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Sabres -140 (bet $140 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Canadiens +1.5 (-220) | Sabres -1.5 (+180)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -102 | U: -118)Canadiens at Sabres projected goalies

Jakub Dobes (29-10-4, 2.78 GAA, .901 SV%) vs. Alex Lyon (20-10-4, 2.77 GAA, .907 SV%, 3 SO)

Dobes hit a rough patch in Game 1 against the Sabres, allowing 4 goals on 16 shots — matching the total he gave up over the final 3 games of the Tampa Bay series. Montreal also struggled on the penalty kill, surrendering goals on 2 of Buffalo’s 3 power-play chances. Dobes now sits at 4-4 this postseason with a 2.28 GAA and .910 SV%.

Lyon keeps rolling this postseason. He stopped 26 of 28 shots and improved to 4-1 since taking over starting duties in Game 3 of the Bruins series. Lyon has been lights out in net, posting a 1.30 GAA and .950 SV% this postseason. His career playoff numbers are strong too, sitting at 5-3 with a 2.19 GAA and .923 SV%.

Canadiens at Sabres picks and predictionsPrediction

Sabres 5, Canadiens 2

PASS.

I like the Sabres (-140) to win comfortably Friday night, but I’d prefer to take the plus odds on the puck line.

BET SABRES -1.5 (+180).

The Sabres looked in control for most of Game 1, opening an early 2-0 lead and rolling to a 4-2 win. Buffalo even covered the puck line without the help of an empty-net goal, which makes the plus-money value on the Sabres again in Game 2 hard to ignore.

Buffalo has been dominant at KeyBank Center, winning 19 of its last 25 games overall, and the top line led by C Tage Thompson continues to create matchup problems. RW Alex Tuch and C Peyton Krebs have also helped drive the offense, especially on home ice where coach Lindy Ruff controls the matchups.

Montreal has been a strong underdog team all season, but that trend finally cracked in Game 1 when its long puck-line streak ended. The Canadiens also looked worn down after the emotional Tampa Bay series.

With Buffalo controlling play at even strength and possibly getting reinforcements back in the lineup, the Sabres puck line is the play again in Game 2.

BET OVER 6 (-102).

There’s plenty pointing toward a high-scoring affair in Game 2. The Over cashed in Game 1, and Buffalo has now seen the over hit in 8 straight Friday home games. Montreal has also been part of several wide-open matchups lately, with 6 or more total goals in 7 of its last 8 games.

The Canadiens should come out aggressive trying to even the series, which could create another fast-paced, offense-heavy matchup. The Over is the play in Game 2.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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