May 7, 2026, 11:24 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Montreal Canadiens<\/a> and the\u00a0Buffalo Sabres<\/a>\u00a0meet 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Best-of-7 series: Sabres lead 1-0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t 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\u2019t won back-to-back playoff games this postseason.<\/p>\n Watch the NHL on Fubo!<\/a>Canadiens at Sabres odds<\/p>\n Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:15 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n Jakub Dobes (29-10-4, 2.78 GAA, .901 SV%) vs. Alex Lyon (20-10-4, 2.77 GAA, .907 SV%, 3 SO)<\/p>\n Dobes hit a rough patch in Game 1 against the Sabres, allowing 4 goals on 16 shots \u2014 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\u2019s 3 power-play chances. Dobes now sits at 4-4 this postseason with a 2.28 GAA and .910 SV%.<\/p>\n 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%.<\/p>\n Canadiens at Sabres picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n Sabres 5, Canadiens 2<\/p>\n PASS.<\/p>\n I like the Sabres (-140) to win comfortably Friday night, but I’d prefer to take the plus odds on the puck line.<\/p>\n BET SABRES -1.5 (+180).<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n BET OVER 6 (-102).<\/p>\n There\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow @DrewPhelps05 on\u00a0Twitter\/X<\/a>. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter\/X<\/a> and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n