Canadiens vs. Sabres prediction: Buffalo favored to win Game 2 [2026]

The Buffalo Sabres will take on the Montreal Canadiens in the 2026 NHL Playoffs at KeyBank Center on Friday, commencing at 7:00 PM ET.

Based on updated simulation results, Dimers' proven NHL model predicts the Sabres as the most likely winner of the Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 2 matchup.

This article offers a closer look at Friday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.

Habs vs. Sabres prediction: Who will win Game 2?

Using innovative machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the result of Friday's NHL Playoffs matchup between the Canadiens and Sabres, forming part of our NHL predictions coverage.

Our famous predictive model currently gives the Sabres a 55% chance of defeating the Canadiens in Game 2 of the series.

According to our model, the Canadiens (+1.5) have a 66% chance of covering the puck line, while the 5.5-goal over/under has a 55% chance of going over.

Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 2 odds

We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:

Bet Type	Canadiens	Sabres
Puck Line	+1.5 (-215)	-1.5 (+185)
Moneyline	+110	-130
Total	o5.5 (-128)	u5.5 (+110)

All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Canadiens vs. Sabres picks and best bet for Game 2

After matching our probabilities against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:

Bet Type	Pick	Bet Now
Puck Line	Sabres -1.5	+185
Moneyline	Sabres	-130
Total	Over 5.5	-128

According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Sabres to win.

These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.

Canadiens vs. Sabres player props

Who will score a goal in Canadiens vs. Sabres?

According to our model, Tage Thompson is most likely to score an anytime goal in Canadiens vs. Sabres.

Our projections give Thompson a 40.1% chance of scoring a goal at KeyBank Center, while the star is an 8.6% chance of netting the first goal the game.

Anytime goal scorer predictions

Montreal Canadiens

Player	Anytime Goal Probability
Cole Caufield	33.6%
Nick Suzuki	31.0%
Ivan Demidov	25.5%
Juraj Slafkovsky	25.0%
Alexandre Texier	23.8%

Buffalo Sabres

Player	Anytime Goal Probability
Tage Thompson	40.1%
Alex Tuch	33.5%
Josh Norris	25.7%
Zach Benson	23.5%
Jack Quinn	23.1%

First goal scorer predictions

Montreal Canadiens

Player	First Goal Probability
Cole Caufield	6.7%
Nick Suzuki	6.1%
Juraj Slafkovsky	4.9%
Ivan Demidov	4.7%
Alexandre Texier	4.2%

Buffalo Sabres

Player	First Goal Probability
Tage Thompson	8.6%
Alex Tuch	6.9%
Josh Norris	5.0%
Zach Benson	4.4%
Rasmus Dahlin	4.1%

Habs vs. Sabres Game 2 updates and essential details

Friday's Game 2 between the Sabres and Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM ET.

• Who: Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
• Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM ET/4:00PM PT
• Venue: KeyBank Center

The Stanley Cup Playoffs is an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup.

Sixteen teams, including the Canadiens and Sabres, made the 2026 NHL Playoffs, which includes four rounds: the First Round, Second Round, Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals.

Each round of the NHL Playoffs is contested as a best-of-seven series, with the first team to four wins advancing to the next round until a champion is crowned.

Conclusion

We predict the Sabres, with a 55% win probability, will likely beat the Canadiens in Friday's NHL matchup.

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