Canadiens vs Sabres Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Playoffs Game 1

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It’s an Atlantic Division showdown at the KeyBank Center with the Montreal Canadiens visiting the Buffalo Sabres to start their Round 2 series on Wednesday, May 6.

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My top Canadiens vs. Sabres predictions and NHL picks call for Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes to continue his sterling postseason run in Game 1.

Canadiens vs Sabres Game 1 prediction

Canadiens vs Sabres best bet: Jakub Dobes Over 26.5 saves (-110)

Montreal Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes has been incredible with an elite .916 save percentage with 30.35 goals saved above expected across 26 games since Marco Marciano took over as the interim goalie coach January 28.

So, with the Habs ranking 23rd with a 48.6 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five in the regular season and 14th out of 16 teams in Round 1, I’m expecting Dobes to be busy in the series opener.

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After all, the Buffalo Sabres finished Round 1 with a solid 53.3 CF% at 5-on-5 while averaging the third-most shots per 60 minutes (30.9) during their six-game series against the Boston Bruins.

Canadiens vs Sabres Game 1 same-game parlay

The Sabres averaged 3.33 goals per game in Round 1, and there have been six or more goals in each of the past eight games between Montreal and Buffalo, with the total at 6.5 for seven of the eight.

Additionally, the Canadiens generated the fewest expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 (1.99) in the opening round, so I’m anticipating an uptick in scoring chances from the Habs after posting a middling 2.69 xGF/60 at 5-on-5 during the regular season.

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I’m also particularly looking to the new-look second line of Jake Evans, centering Ivan Demidov and Alex Newhook, as candidates to break out. Demidov is an elite offensive talent, while Newhook has ample postseason experience and an excellent motor and compete level to create space and time for the trio.

Canadiens vs Sabres SGP

• Alex Newhook Over 0.5 points

• Ivan Demidov Over 0.5 points

Canadiens vs Sabres odds for Game 1

• Moneyline: Canadiens +105 | Sabres -125

• Puck Line: Canadiens +1.5 (-240) | Sabres -1.5 (+195)

• Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-120) | Under Under 5.5 (+100)

Canadiens vs Sabres trend

There have been six or more goals in each of the past eight games between the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres.. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Sabres.

How to watch Canadiens vs Sabres Game 1

Canadiens vs Sabres latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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