The Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres Game 2 of their NHL Playoffs series is set for puck drop at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 8, with the Sabres favored to win and returning a 1.72x payout if they come out victorious, via PrizePicks.
The Sabres improved to 5-2 in the postseason following a 4-2 home triumph in the second round opener. The Canadiens couldn’t capitalize off the momentum of their Game 7 win at Tampa Bay in the first round, falling to 4-4 in the NHL Playoffs.
Below, we'll break down our Canadiens vs. Sabres prediction and picks for Friday’s NHL Game 2, including the puck line, over/under, and key player picks for PrizePicks.
Make your Canadiens vs. Sabres prediction on PrizePicks for tonight's Game 2.
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Canadiens vs. Sabres Prediction, Winner, Over/Under – Friday, May 8
The Sabres led after the first period for the fourth consecutive game, jumping out to a quick 2-1 advantage. RW Josh Doan and C Ryan McLeod each scored in the initial frame, while Buffalo allowed its first opening-period goal since Game 1 of the first round against Boston.
C Nick Suzuki tallied a power play late in the first period to trim the deficit in half, but Buffalo posted a pair of second-period goals to grab a 4-1 cushion. C Kirby Dach got the Habs within 4-2 in the final minutes of the second, but that’s as close as Montreal would come.
The Canadiens outshot the Sabres 11-1 in the third period but couldn’t sneak another goal past G Alex Lyon, who finished with 26 saves.
The winning team in the last nine matchups scored at least 4 goals dating back to the start of the 2024-25 season.
Canadiens vs. Sabres Winner Payout, Over/Under – Friday, May 8
The Sabres enter Friday’s Game 2 as home favorites against the Canadiens, returning a 1.72x payout if they win outright, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
Here are the full payouts for the Canadiens vs. Sabres game on PrizePicks.
- Puck Line: Buffalo Sabres -1.5 (2.63x payout)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (1.72x payout on Over)
- Game Winner Payout: Canadiens 2.04x | Sabres 1.72x
Play the Canadiens vs. Sabres winner or over/under on PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money — available in 35 states!
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres Timeline
Here is the full Canadiens vs. Sabres timeline, including the playoff series game-by-game and recent matchup history.
All-Time: Sabres 156-151-32
Regular Season: Sabres 138-134-32
Series: Sabres, 1-0
Canadiens vs. Sabres Eastern Conference Semifinals Timeline, Schedule for 2026 NHL Playoffs
- Game 1: Sabres, 4-2
- Game 2: Friday, May 8, 7:00 p.m. in Buffalo
- Game 3: Sunday, May 10, 7:00 p.m. in Montreal
- Game 4: Tuesday, May 12, 7:00 p.m. in Montreal
- Game 5-7 if necessary
Canadiens vs. Sabres Prediction on Winner for NHL Playoffs, Game 2
Here are the key game stats and trends behind our Canadiens vs. Sabres prediction on the Game 2 winner for Friday, May 8.
Lock in your Canadiens vs. Sabres prediction on PrizePicks now.
- The Sabres have won three of the last four matchups since dropping the opening meeting on October 20.
- Buffalo compiled the fourth-best penalty kill in the regular season (81.9%) while just giving up its first power play goal since Game 2 of the first round.
- Montreal hasn’t lost consecutive games since mid-March, going 8-0 coming off a defeat in the last eight tries.
- According to MoneyPuck, Montreal LW Juraj Slafkovsky has the second-highest expected goal average in the playoffs at 4.8.
- Since the start of February, the Canadiens are 5-1 in the last six contests after allowing two goals in the first period.
- Montreal has scored the third-most power play goals in the playoffs (6), although their PP% is 21.4%.
- Canadiens G Jakub Dobes defeated the Sabres twice in the regular season before losing the series opener. He allowed a total of 4 goals in the two victories but gave up 4 in the Game 1 loss alone.
Canadiens vs. Sabres Picks, Player Stats for PrizePicks: 5/8/26
Here are the top Canadiens vs. Sabres picks to target in Game 2 on PrizePicks for Friday, May 8. Today’s NHL picks for PrizePicks include RW Alex Tuch and G Jakub Dobes.
Sabres RW Alex Tuch vs. Canadiens Projection: 20.5 Minutes TOI
- Tuch has compiled at least 20:30 minutes of time on ice in five of seven playoff games.
- He's coming off his lowest TOI in the postseason in Game 1 against Montreal (19:16).
- Tuch had posted more than 20:30 minutes in five consecutive home contests before finishing below this projection in the series opener.
- Among Buffalo forwards, Tuch owns the highest TOI average in the NHL Playoffs at 21:01.
Add Alex Tuch to your PrizePicks Lineup now.
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Canadiens G Jakub Dobes vs. Sabres Projection: 25.5 Goalie Saves
- The 24-year-old stopped 12 shots in the Game 1 loss, his fewest saves in eight playoff games.
- Dobes picked up at least 26 saves in each of the final three games of the Canadiens' first-round win over the Lightning.
- The second-year pro compiled at least 30 saves in each of the two regular-season victories over the Sabres.
- In the first round, Boston’s goalies made at least 26 saves in five of six games.
Add Jakub Dobes to your PrizePicks Lineup now.
Make Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 2 Picks on PrizePicks
Montreal has done an excellent job of bouncing back after a loss in the last two months. Can the Habs rebound from a Game 1 loss and even up their series with the Sabres?
Don’t wait until puck drop — make your Canadiens vs. Sabres picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right. Pick NHL players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on game winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.
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