Canadiens vs Sabres NHL Playoffs Game 1 Picks

Canadiens vs Sabres NHL Playoffs Game 1 Picks

The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres are set for Game 1 of their NHL Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series on Wednesday night. 

The Canadiens advanced to the second round thanks to prevailing in a chaotic seven-game series over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the opening round. On the other side, the Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins in six games, which marks Buffalo’s first postseason series win since 2007.

In what should be a wildly entertaining game to watch unfold, puck drop is slated for 7:10 PM ET at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

Canadiens vs Sabres Game 1 Predictions

Pick #1: Montreal Canadiens ML over Buffalo Sabres (+110)

Pick #2: Over 5.5 (-122)

Pick #3: Ivan Demidov anytime goalscorer (+330)

Pick #1: Canadiens ML over Sabres (+110)

It’s safe to say that Montreal’s seven-game series win over Tampa Bay makes them the most battle-tested team in this matchup. All seven games against the Bolts were decided by a single goal, with four games needing to be decided in overtime. The Lightning are a well-coached team full of veteran playoff performers, and Montreal getting past them in a grueling series shows just how for real they are.

Winning those types of close games in the postseason is a massive skill, and the Canadiens showed they can win in a variety of ways. They can light the lamp with their well-rounded offensive core, play with a solid defensive structure and make life difficult on their opponent, and lean on rock-solid goaltending when needed. That makes them extremely dangerous heading into Wednesday’s Game 1 in Buffalo.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Sabres went 1-2 at home in the first round against Boston, and they needed a four-goal comeback in the 3rd period to find the win column at home in Game 1. If the Sabres are flat once again, the Canadiens are more than capable of taking advantage. 

Pick #2: Over 5.5 (-122)

These teams tend to play in high-scoring games when they meet. Montreal and Buffalo met four times during the regular season, and all four games saw at least six total goals be scored with an average of 6.5 goals per game. Both teams possess exciting cores of offensive talent, and both teams have offensive-minded defensemen roaming their respective blue lines.

In addition, while goaltenders Alex Lyon and Jakub Dobes have been sensational so far in the playoffs, they will both likely have their hands full with these solid offensive attacks. Things tend to tighten up a bit in the playoffs, but given their track record, I still expect this one to go over the listed total of 5.5. 

Pick #3: Ivan Demidov anytime goalscorer (+330)

Ivan Demidov enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign this season. He potted 19 goals and dished out 43 assists for 62 points over the course of 82 games during the regular season. He has been quiet on the scoring front in the postseason, as he collected just a single assist in the first round against the Lightning. However, the goals could be coming sooner rather than later.

Demidov is the only player on the Canadiens to fire 10+ shots on goal in the postseason and not yet have a goal to his name. In fact, his 14 shots on goal are tied with Lane Hutson for the second-most among all Montreal skaters in the playoffs. He is still seeing solid second-line minutes and is still featured on Montreal’s top power play unit, giving him plenty of opportunity to score on a nightly basis. It may not be long before Demidov finds the back of the net, and with odds of +330, I like his chances of potting a goal in the series opener on Wednesday night.