The Buffalo Sabres host the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the NHL Eastern Conference semifinals tonight. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET with live coverage on TNT and truTV.
We’ve got you covered with odds, picks, and predictions. DraftKings is dealing Buffalo as a -122 home favorite and a total of 5.5. 53% of the moneyline handle is on the Canadiens, but 63% of tickets are on the Sabres.
Best Bet: Canadiens vs. Sabres OVER 5.5 (-130)
With the series now tied 2-2, Buffalo has regained home-ice advantage. The Sabres notched a 3-2 win in Montreal on Tuesday to even things up.
Three of the four games in this series have gone OVER 5.5. Last time out, with the total set at 6.5, the UNDER hit for the first time.
This series is still free-flowing, with scoring opportunities aplenty on both sides. Montréal poured 31 shots on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who took over for Alex Lyon in the Buffalo net in Game 4.
Luukkonen, who is expected to start again tonight, should face a barrage of shots again tonight. Let’s see if he’s up to the task. Overall, he hasn’t been great this postseason, with a 3.37 goals against average and .870 save percentage in three starts.
Offensively, Buffalo is scoring again on the power play. The Sabres got man-advantage goals by Tage Thompson and Zach Benson in Game 4. They are now 5-for-16 on the power play against the Canadiens.
Pick: OVER 5.5 (-130)
Best Player Prop for Montreal Canadiens
Cole Caufield OVER 0.5 Goals (+175)
Cole Caufield (pictured above battling Alex Ovechkin) came through for us with a goal in Game 4. The spigot might finally be on after he scored in back-to-back games. Prior to that, he’s gone five straight games without finding the back of the net.
Expect Montreal to come out of the gates quickly tonight, and for the team’s most potent scoring threat to strike again in Game 5.
Best Player Prop for Buffalo Sabres
Josh Doan OVER 0.5 Points (-115)
Josh Doan has been the ultimate playmaker against the Canadiens. He carries a five-game point scoring streak into tonight’s tilt.
Five of Doan’s six points versus the Habs have been assists after he struck for a pair of helpers in Game 4. Additionally, he’s had at least one assist in every game against Montreal.
It’d be no surprise to see him hit the score sheet again in Game 5.
