Buffalo Sabres at Montreal Canadiens odds, picks and predictions

The Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens meet Tuesday in Game 4 of their second-round best-of-7 Eastern Conference series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Puck drop at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, is 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze NHL odds around the Sabres vs. Canadiens odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Best-of-7 series: Canadiens leads 2-1

The Canadiens have completely flipped this series after dropping Game 1, rolling past the Sabres 6-2 in a dominant Game 3 performance. Montreal cashed as a -134 home favorite as the Over (6) hit.

Montreal RW Cole Caufield scored his second playoff goal and added an assist, while C Alex Newhook stayed hot with 2 goals, including an empty-netter. RW Zachary Bolduc, LW Juraj Slafkovsky and C Kirby Dach also scored as the Canadiens overwhelmed the Sabres offensively.

After putting up 4 goals in Game 1, the Sabres offense has cooled off, scoring just 3 total goals over the last 2 games. The power play has been a major issue during the skid, converting only 1 of 9 opportunities.

C Tage Thompson and D Rasmus Dahlin each had a goal and an assist in Game 3, but Buffalo struggled everywhere else, especially in the faceoff circle where Montreal dominated 38-23. The loss also marked Buffalo’s first road defeat of the postseason. G Alex Lyon stopped 31 shots in his second straight loss.

Sabres at Canadiens odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:46 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Sabres +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Canadiens -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
• Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Sabres +1.5 (-210) | Canadiens -1.5 (+170)
• Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)

Sabres at Canadiens projected goalies

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

Lyon dropped his second straight playoff start for the first time this postseason, allowing 5 goals on 36 shots in Game 3. In fact, Lyon has now given up more goals over the last 2 games of this series than he allowed in his 4 starts during the previous round. Despite the recent struggles, he still owns a solid 4-3 postseason record with a 2.18 GAA and .921 SV%. His career playoff numbers now sit at 5-5 with a 2.63 GAA and .909 SV%.

Dobes continues to shine as the Canadiens took control of the series, stopping 26 of 28 shots in Game 3 while hearing loud “Do-by! Do-by!” chants from the home crowd after another standout performance. The rookie has been terrific over the last 2 games and now owns a 6-4 postseason record with a 2.13 GAA and .918 SV%, while his overall playoff career numbers sit at 7-6 with a 2.28 GAA and .912 SV%.

Sabres at Canadiens picks and predictions

Prediction

Canadiens 3, Sabres 2

Moneyline

BET CANADIENS (-140).

Things have flipped fast in this series, and right now the Canadiens are the team in control heading into Game 4. After losing Game 1, Montreal has completely taken over, outscoring Buffalo 11-3 across the last 2 games and feeding off the energy at Bell Centre.

A huge part of that has been Dobes in net, who has been unbelievable lately. Buffalo just hasn’t been able to solve him, and every big save seems to fire up the crowd even more. On the other side, the Sabres suddenly look frustrated offensively, especially their top line at 5-on-5.

Montreal is getting contributions everywhere offensively. Newhook has stepped up in a big way, Caufield is producing and the Canadiens’ depth has kept constant pressure on Buffalo’s defense.

Now with another home game and all the momentum on their side, this feels like a great spot to back Montreal on the moneyline again in Game 4.

Puck line/Against the spread

PASS. I would consider a bet on the Sabres +1.5 (-210) puck line, but it's pricey and I'll play it safe.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 6.5 (-120).

After the wild 6-2 Game 3, expect things to tighten up in Game 4. Buffalo can’t afford another loose defensive effort, while Montreal knows slowing the pace down works in its favor with Dobes playing lights out right now. Playoff games usually get more cautious as the pressure rises, and this feels like a spot where both teams focus more on defense. The Under looks like the play Tuesday night.

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

Follow @DrewPhelps05 on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.