Montreal Canadiens defeat Buffalo Sabres 4-3: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Sat, Oct 17, 2026 · NHL · Buffalo Sabres 3, Montreal Canadiens 4
Montreal Canadiens edged Buffalo Sabres 4–3 on Saturday at the Bell Centre, with Buffalo covering the +1.5 spread while the game finished over the 6.5 total.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens final score and game recap
Montreal led 3-2 after the second period. The teams were tied 3-3 after the third period before Montreal scored in the fourth to win 4-3. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 30 saves on 34 shots for Buffalo; Jacob Fowler stopped 23 of 26 for Montreal. Cole Caufield scored twice for the Canadiens. Josh Norris scored for the Sabres.
Who covered the spread in Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens?
Buffalo covered as a +1.5 underdog despite losing by one goal. Montreal entered as a -1.5 favorite and won by exactly one, leaving the spread uncovered for the favorite. The line held at Montreal -1.5 from open to close.
Did Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens go over or under the total?
The game went over the 6.5 total, finishing with 7 combined goals. Scoring was distributed across all four periods: Buffalo 1–1–1–0, Montreal 2–1–0–1.
How did AiQ's Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens predictions do?
AiQ posted a 63–22 record across all graded picks on this game.
- Moneyline: Montreal Canadiens at -144 – WIN (+$69.44 on a $100 bet)
- Player props: 62–22
Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens player prop results
AiQ's player-prop slate finished 62–22.
- Ryan McLeod under 1.5 goals – actual 0 – WIN
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen under 25.5 saves – actual 30 – LOSS
- Jake Evans under 1.5 goals – actual 0 – WIN
- Jiri Kulich under 1.5 goals – actual 0 – WIN
- Beck Malenstyn under 1.5 goals – actual 0 – WIN
- Arber Xhekaj under 1.5 goals – actual 0 – WIN
- Konsta Helenius under 1.5 goals – actual 0 – WIN
- Phillip Danault under 1.5 goals – actual 0 – WIN
- Zach Metsa under 1.5 goals – actual 0 – WIN
- Zack Bolduc under 1.5 goals – actual 1 – WIN
- Kirby Dach under 1.5 goals – actual 0 – WIN
- Kaiden Guhle under 1.5 goals – actual 0 – WIN
Seventy-two additional prop picks are included in the overall record.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens game prop results: first period and team totals
- First-period moneyline: Montreal Canadiens won the period (paid -140)
- Buffalo Sabres team total 3.5: Under (paid -196); the Sabres finished with 3 goals
- First-period total 1.5: Over (paid -160); three goals were scored in the opening frame
- Montreal Canadiens team total 2.5: Over (paid -260); Montreal posted 4 goals
- Buffalo Sabres team total 2.5: Over (paid -156); Buffalo recorded 3 goals
Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens odds: sportsbook value and line movement
The opening line listed Buffalo at +120 and Montreal at -144, implying win probabilities of 44% and 56% after removing the 4.5% vig. The spread remained Montreal -1.5 from open to close. Montreal's -144 moneyline paid $69.44 on a $100 stake. AiQ's pre-game expected value for the Canadiens at -142 was –3.6%, indicating the model judged the price unfavorable despite favoring the side. The model's calibrated probability matched the market's 57% after vig removal.
Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens betting trends: 2026-27 season
Buffalo sits at 4–5 overall, with a 3–2 home record and 1–3 away. In six games with a recorded spread, the Sabres are 3–3; in six total-line games they are 4 overs and 2 unders. Their last five results: loss, win, loss, win, loss.
Montreal stands at 4–4, also 3–2 at home and 1–2 away. The Canadiens have struggled against the spread, going 1–6 in seven games, while covering the total 6–1 in the same sample. Their last five results: win, loss, win, win, loss.
What's next for Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens?
Buffalo hosts the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, October 21. Montreal hosts the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, October 20.