Sabres vs. Canadiens Game 4: Prediction & Best Bets

Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens continue their feisty second-round series in the NHL Playoffs with Game 4 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

The Canadiens own the 2-1 series lead and are currently sitting in the driver seat as the series remains on their home ice.

Buffalo has not looked like themselves in their past two losses, being outscored 11-3 in the process. However, they have impressed all season long and boast a threatening roster.

It is crucial they return to their regular self in Game 4.

To get you ready for all the action to come, here is our Sabres vs. Canadiens preview and prediction.

Sabres vs. Canadiens betting picks and predictions

Sabres ML (+115)

While the Sabres were absolutely run over the last two games, we have already seen they can take down the Canadiens and the series is still young.

However, Game 4 needs to bring an urgency we have not yet seen from this team - it is a must-win.

Buffalo has impressed in numerous ways this season, winning the Atlantic Division with 50 wins and walking through a challenging Boston Bruins team in the first round. 

This dominance is something Buffalo needs to refind ASAP. So far the Sabres have outperformed the Canadiens on both special teams and have outhit them.

The effort is there and in my eyes each of the last two games were closely contested until the contests suddenly flipped completely in favor of Montreal. Consistency will be a massive key in Game 4.

These are two very strong teams who are equally skilled. A few tune ups for Buffalo should send them in the right direction and Lindy Ruff is an experienced head coach that I trust could reset the course.

An embarrassing result in Game 2 and 3 for Buffalo should have them coming out hungry, generating a strong early start that they need to ride to victory.

Under 6.5 (-125)

In the last two games Buffalo has been completely unable to stop a red-hot Montreal offense. It is a non-negotiable they turn the page in Game 4 and begin to shut down this attack, and I say they do so.

We have seen Buffalo succeed defensively this postseason, stopping Montreal to 2 goals in Game 1, as well as shutting down David Pastrnak and the Bruins to less than 2 goals per game. An increased motivation and importance of a win should have the entire team on their toes.

On the other end, Montreal's defensive efforts have been impeccable. Rookie goaltender Jakob Dobes sports a 2.13 goals against average and a .918 save percentage - win or lose, he will likely frustrate the Sabres immensely yet again.

With the expectation of Buffalo limiting Montreal to far less than their 4.33 goals per game average and the Canadiens continuing their elite defensive results, we should be in for a low game total.

Tage Thompson anytime goal (+165)

Tage Thompson has had a solid playoffs thus far in his first ever appearance, scoring three goals and nine points in nine games. However, as Thompson is categorized as one of the elite scorers in the NHL, a lot more is expected from him. 

He did score one goal and one assist in Game 3, which ultimately did not matter in a 6-2 blowout.

However, this should spark some confidence after scoring his first goal since Game 1 of the first round. Three shots on goal was also far more effective than the one he had in the previous two games.

The three-time 40-goal scorer is known to absolutely take over games, and he, his team and the Buffalo faithful are still waiting to see that in this series.

With his team losing two straight games, including a brutal turnover that resulted in a goal during a Game 2 comeback push, Thompson should be as motivated as ever to drive his team to victory. With that, I see another goal coming from him.

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Sabres vs. Canadiens odds

Sabres	+115
Canadiens	-135
Puck Line	MON Canadiens -1.5
Total	O/U 6.5

Sabres vs. Canadiens player props

Anytime goalscorer

Cole Caufield (MON Canadiens)	+145
Tage Thompson (BUF Sabres)	+165
Juraj Slafkovsky (MON Canadiens)	+180
Alex Tuch (BUF Sabres)	+190
Nick Suzuki (MON Canadiens)	+195
Alex Newhook (MON Canadiens)	+325
Ivan Demidov (MON Canadiens)	+325

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.