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Canadiens vs. Sabres prediction: Buffalo favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [1/15/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres predictions for NHL Thursday.
NHL action continues on Thursday at 7:00 PM ET as the Montreal Canadiens square off with the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center.
Based on updated simulation results, Dimers' advanced NHL model gives the Sabres a slight edge with a 51% win probability over the Canadiens.
This article offers a closer look at Thursday's Canadiens vs. Sabres matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Habs vs. Sabres prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NHL game between the Canadiens and Sabres 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model gives the Sabres a 51% chance of defeating the Canadiens.
According to our model, the Sabres (+1.5) have a 72% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 6.5 goals has a 53% chance of staying under.
Canadiens vs. Sabres odds
We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Canadiens | Sabres |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | -1.5 (+230) | +1.5 (-250) |
| Moneyline | -113 | -105 |
| Total | o6.5 (+105) | u6.5 (-120) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Canadiens vs. Sabres picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current 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 | -250 |
| Moneyline | Sabres | -105 |
| Total | Under 6.5 | -120 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Sabres +1.5 at the spread.
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 41.1% chance of scoring a goal at KeyBank Center, while the star is a 7.7% chance of registering the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Montreal Canadiens
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Cole Caufield | 29.9% |
| Nick Suzuki | 28.3% |
| Alexandre Texier | 27.5% |
| Oliver Kapanen | 26.9% |
| Ivan Demidov | 26.5% |
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 41.1% |
| Alex Tuch | 30.2% |
| Josh Norris | 27.3% |
| Jason Zucker | 25.0% |
| Zach Benson | 21.8% |
First goal scorer predictions
Montreal Canadiens
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Nick Suzuki | 5.4% |
| Cole Caufield | 5.3% |
| Alexandre Texier | 4.9% |
| Ivan Demidov | 4.9% |
| Oliver Kapanen | 4.5% |
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 7.7% |
| Alex Tuch | 5.4% |
| Josh Norris | 4.9% |
| Jason Zucker | 4.4% |
| Rasmus Dahlin | 3.7% |
Habs vs. Sabres game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's game between the Sabres and Canadiens at KeyBank Center is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM ET.
- Who: Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
- Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET/4:00PM PT
- Venue: KeyBank Center
Conclusion
We predict the Sabres, with a 51% win probability, will likely beat the Canadiens on Thursday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Canadiens vs. Sabres insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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