Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres Game 5 Preview, Picks & Odds for Thursday, May 14, 2026
We’re all tied up at 2-2 after the Buffalo Sabres were able to snag a crucial road win in Game 4, as the Montreal Canadiens try their best to reclaim the series lead. Which team will enter Game 6 with the chance to closeout the series, and which team will enter Game 6 on the verge on elimination? Let’s dive into the Game 5 odds, trends, betting data and insights for this crucial matchup from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Analysis
As it has been all playoffs long, the Habs as underdogs thrive with nine straight wins in that role when coming off a loss. Montreal has also covered the last 16 puck lines in the underdog role when coming off a loss, so it’s hard to go against the Canadiens in a bounce-back spot. To make matters worse for any Buffalo bettors or fans, Montreal has also won the first period in four straight road games off a loss. All impressive trends when coming off a loss and playing as a road underdog.
Buffalo has a somewhat trusty 8-4 SU record when playing as a favorite, but is just 2-4 SU when coming off a win. All signs point to Montreal, but the conviction isn’t fully there. So heading to the total market, Montreal has seen the Under hit in five straight games when playing in Buffalo off a loss. The total has hit six goals or less in four of five meetings, so this can make the total market a bit murky depending on the asking price for 5.5 versus 6 for total goals – attack the market at your own risk here but however you do it, expect six goals.
Alex Newhook has been a quiet cash cow for the player prop market, scoring in four of five games with +300 odds to hit the back of the net in Game 5. Nick Suzuki has also scored in three straight on the road, some good asking prices for goal scorers in Montreal outside the name Cole Caufied.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres Best Bet, Pick & Prediction
Best Bet: Montreal ML (+102) at DraftKings
Score Prediction: Canadiens 4, Sabres 3
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres Game Odds
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres Game Information
- Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
- Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
- Network: TNT
- Location: Buffalo, New York
- Venue: KeyBank Center – 6.4 goals per game; 21-21-4 O/U
- Series Score: Tied 2-2
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Resources
- NHL Playoff Odds
- NHL Game Odds
- NHL Daily Betting Trends
- NHL Starting Goalies
- Stanley Cup Picks
- Conn Smythe Picks
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres Key Players
Montreal Canadiens
- Cole Caufield – Last Game: (1 Goals, 0 Assists)
- Lane Hutson – Last Game: (0 Goals, 1 Assists)
- Jakub Dobes – Last Game: (3 Goals Against, 19 Saves)
Buffalo Sabres
- Tage Thompson – Last Game: (1 Goals, 1 Assists)
- Rasmus Dahlin – Last Game: (0 Goals, 1 Assists)
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – Last Game: (2 Goals Against, 28 Saves)
Photo Credit: AP/Jeffrey T. Barnes
