The Buffalo Sabres host the Montreal Canadiens tonight for a decisive Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at the KeyBank Center, with the national broadcast airing on ESPN. Buffalo forced the final showdown after erasing a 3-1 series deficit, punishing Montreal with seven unanswered goals during an 8-3 road victory in Game 6.
Home-ice advantage holds little weight heading into the matchup. Both the Canadiens and the Sabres carry 2-1 road records in this series. Montreal also carries the experience of surviving a road Game 7 earlier this postseason, pulling off a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the opening round.
Offensive production remains the story for both rosters. Winger Zach Benson pushed his playoff point total to nine after his recent promotion to the top line, creating heavy action on Zach Benson and Ivan Demidov prop bets and point streaks heading into tonight. Demidov enters the contest riding a four-game point streak for Montreal, while defenseman Lane Hutson sits at 13 points for the playoffs.
Both teams utilized tandem goaltenders during the Game 6 blowout. Jakub Dobes, who started all 13 playoff games for Montreal, is projected to take the crease opposite Buffalo’s Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Luukkonen stopped all 18 shots he faced in relief during the previous game.
Oddsmakers are preparing for another offensive shootout, breaking away from the traditionally tight, low-scoring nature of Game 7s, according to an overview of the starting goalies and betting odds for Game 7. The Canadiens and Sabres combined for 45 goals across the first six games, including 20 goals in just the last two matchups alone.