So, have you heard about the Habs’ sizzling hot start? The Montreal Canadiens have been head-and-shoulders the best team in the league through the first few weeks of the new NHL season, as their immaculate 7-0-0 record through seven games clearly indicates.
The Habs will put their perfect record on the line on the road against rookie sensation Jack Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres, who will be looking to start their first winning streak of the season.
Read on below for our preview of this top-vs-bottom Atlantic Division battle. Meanwhile, check out our preview of Friday’s top NHL matchup, the Bruins vs. Isles.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
Where: First Niagara Center, Buffalo
When: Friday, October 23, 2015, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Montreal Canadiens at Buffalo Sabres – view all NHL lines
Betting on the Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are back with a vengeance. After finishing with the second-best record in the league last season but suffering a disappointing playoff exit at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Habs have seemingly come out of the gate this year on a mission. With their hot start, the Habs are the early +900 Stanley Cup favorites.
[sc:NHL240 ]The Habs have scored at least three goals in all seven of their games, and they’ve done so despite having a measly 14.3 power play conversion rate. They’re getting production throughout the top-nine, with the top line of Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec and Brendan Gallagher already combining for 19 points.
They’ve also won their last three games – all at home, against the Rangers, Red Wings, and Blues – by three clear goals each thanks in large part to the best goalie in the world. Carey Price was immaculate in that three-game stretch as he shut out both the Rangers and the Blues, which is no mean feat even for the reigning Veniza and Hart Trophy winner.
However, rookie Mike Condon is set to start his second game of the season in place of Price. Condon showed no signs of nerves in his first career NHL start as he stopped 20 of 21 shots in a 3-1 win against Ottawa. Condon could be set for his first career shutout against a Sabres team that is still struggling on offense. Buffalo is 27th in the NHL in goals per game (1.7).
The Habs also have the best penalty kill percentage thus far (91 percent), which should stifle a Sabres team that has scored four of its 11 goals this season with a man advantage. The Habs killed all four power plays in Condon’s lone start to date.
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Betting on the Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres were still going to be bad even with the arrival of phenom Jack Eichel, and bad they’ve been. The Sabres have started 2-4-0, with their two wins coming off the Blue Jackets and the Maple Leafs, both of whom have had horrendous starts to the season.
However, the early returns from the Eichel era have at least shown some promise. The second overall pick from this year’s NHL draft is the team’s leading goal scorer with two goals, the only player on the team with more than one this season.
Meanwhile, new additions Ryan O’Reilly and Evander Kane are also bedding in nicely. O’Reilly is tied for the team lead with three points, while Kane finally got on the scoresheet with the equalizing goal in their shootout win over Toronto.
They’ve been far from impressive at the other end, though. Because of Robin Lehner’s ankle injury, goalie Chad Johnson has been forced into the starting spot, and he hasn’t quite been up to snuff. Through six games, Johnson has a mediocre 2.70 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. Johnson has made one start against Montreal in his career (last season when he was with the Islanders). He stopped 18 shots in a 3-1 loss.
Luckily, Johnson won’t have the added pressure of having to outduel the great Carey Price. The Sabres have also played with seemingly no pressure against the heavily favored Habs. Buffalo has won its last three meetings in a row against Montreal.
Writer’s Prediction
The Habs maintain their perfect record with an easy 4-1 win over the Sabres.
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