Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Picks and Predictions November 11th 2024

Sabres Aim for Fourth Straight Win, Canadiens Desperate to Break Losing Streak

The Buffalo Sabres, riding high on a three-game winning streak, are set to host the Montreal Canadiens on Monday afternoon. Both teams are trending in opposite directions, with the Sabres on the rise and the Canadiens in desperate need of a victory.

Buffalo’s Hot Streak

The Sabres have turned things around recently, securing impressive wins over the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers before edging out the Calgary Flames 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday. In that game, J.J. Peterka played the hero with the game-winning shootout goal, while forward Tage Thompson notched his team-leading 10th goal of the season.

Thompson is currently in a groove, with goals in each of his last three games. Historically, he’s been a thorn in the Canadiens’ side, racking up 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 12 career matchups against Montreal.

Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been a critical part of Buffalo’s recent success. The Finnish netminder has won six of his last eight starts while maintaining an impressive 2.25 goals-against average during that stretch. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff lauded Luukkonen’s play after the shootout victory over Calgary.

Buffalo’s special teams have also come alive after a sluggish start. The Sabres went scoreless on their first 22 power-play attempts this season but have since converted seven of their last 23 opportunities in the past seven games. This turnaround has been a key factor in their winning streak.

A victory on Monday would mark Buffalo’s first four-game winning streak in nearly two years, providing further momentum as they look to climb the standings.

Canadiens Looking for Answers

On the other side, the Montreal Canadiens are struggling mightily. They suffered a 4-1 defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, extending their losing streak to six games (0-5-1). Despite flashes of solid play, the Canadiens have been unable to convert those efforts into victories.

One bright spot for Montreal has been veteran winger Brendan Gallagher. The 32-year-old found the net against Toronto, extending his goal-scoring streak to three games. Gallagher now has seven goals on the season, and his recent form has been one of the few positives for the struggling Canadiens.

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However, Montreal’s top offensive stars have gone cold. Cole Caufield and captain Nick Suzuki have both been held without a point for the past four games. This offensive drought has been a significant factor in the team’s recent struggles.

“Some of us, myself included, are struggling to produce and find the back of the net,” Suzuki admitted. “We expect more from ourselves. We need contributions from everyone if we want to turn this around.”

In addition to their scoring woes, the Canadiens have had trouble defensively, allowing a staggering 29 goals over their last six games while only managing to score 12. The team’s confidence appears to be wavering, with players acknowledging the toll of the recent losses.

“It’s tough right now,” forward Josh Anderson said. “But we’re trying to stay positive. Once we break through, I think things will start clicking again.”

Clash of the Opposite Trends

As the Canadiens and Sabres prepare to face off, it’s clear that both teams have different motivations. Buffalo is hungry to keep their momentum going and secure a fourth straight win, which would mark a significant milestone for the franchise. Meanwhile, Montreal is simply looking to halt their downward spiral and regain their footing in a season that’s quickly slipping away.

The Sabres have won the last two meetings between these teams and will be hoping to extend that streak on home ice. The Canadiens, meanwhile, will need a much-improved effort if they want to leave Buffalo with a much-needed victory.