The Sabers were picked to win Game 1 as the Canadiens faced fatigue after a tough seven-game series with the Lightning.

I’ve said it a lot every year, but the NHL Playoffs are amazing. I don’t follow hockey that much during the regular season. I follow it enough to always bet on it, but of the big four, it’s the one I’m less confident about. I’ve had incredible success over the years, but this one wasn’t my best. So, I guess my advice here is to tread carefully as I share with you my bets on the Canadiens vs. Sabers.

The Montreal Canadiens took out one of the biggest favorites in sports in the first round. They were able to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games. This was an interesting series as the two teams traded wins. No game was decided by more than one goal. Four of the seven games also went to overtime. To say this was a battle for Montreal would be an understatement. Their team was praised for their perseverance and going out to stay in the second round of the playoffs.

This season, the team scored 3.40 goals per game and allowed 3.06 goals per game. I always find it interesting, but they allowed more shots than they averaged. They went 24-9-8 on the road this season, one of the best marks in the league, and won three games on the road in the first round. I expect them to put Jakub Dobes back in net after he started all seven games against Tampa Bay. He was 29-10-4 with a 2.78 goals allowed per game average. He had a solid .901 save percentage during the regular season. In the postseason, he upped that to .923 and allowed more than three goals in any game.

The Buffalo Sabers went 50-23-9 this season, looking like one of the best teams in the league. They were strong at home, going 26-10-5 on their home court. In the opening round, the team took down the Boston Bruins in six games. They had a much easier time than Canada. In their three wins, they have lost by at least two goals. Even in two losses, they were competitive. Lost in Game 2 4-2, and Game five 2-1. Both of their home losses are a bit concerning.

SABERS WIN FIRST PLAYOFF GAME IN 15 YEARS LAST FASHION, STUN BRUINS WITH EPIC THIRD PERIOD COMEBACK

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj reacts after his team’s overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild in an NHL game in St. Paul, Minn., on Feb. 2, 2026. (Matt Krohn/AP)

However, this is a team that still has a lot of injuries. Scoring 20 goals in six games means this offense is hitting on all cylinders. They made a big change to the team by removing starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in net after the first two games. They turned to Alex Lyon in Game 3, and he rewarded them with five goals allowed in five games. He did not allow a goal in seven attempts when he came on for Luukkonen in Game 2.

The play-offs are not the time for teams to worry about emotions. Pulling their goalie, who has done so much for them, had to happen if Buffalo wanted to win the series. Lyon has been delivered and will be in net until he recovers. The Sabers are playing with a lot of confidence at the moment, but they have looked terrible at home.

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Buffalo Sabers fans came to the singer’s aid when his microphone stopped working during the performance of “O, Canada.” (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)

The Canadiens should be deflated after winning that first round series. It was a tough fight, and every game was tight. I don’t think this is the kind of game they want to play in. They were lucky to get more rest. I expect the Sabers to win this game. They are a loose team, their goalie looks good, and the offense has been rolling. Give the Buffaloes a win in the opening game as the Canadiens try to catch their breath after being eliminated in the first round.

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