Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres Hockey betting preview
Time: 7:35 PM
Venue: First Niagara Center
Hockey betting odds for fans who bet on hockey:
Canadiens -1½ (+250) 5 (-140) -125
Sabres +1½ (-300) 5 (+120) +105
Montreal: The Canadiens won their 24th Atlantic division title and second in the last three years with a 4-1 win over Florida on Monday. Artturi Lehkonen scored two goals in the third period and had an assist. Andrew Shaw and Alexander Radulov also scored. Charlie Lindgren made 31 saves in his second league start and first this season. All signs point to Lindgren starting again tonight. The Canadiens have won five consecutive games. In addition to that, Montreal is 4-1 in the last five games when playing against the Sabres and 9-1 in the last 10 road games. Montreal has nothing more to gain except keeping the momentum going into the playoffs.
Buffalo: The Sabres are using the final games of the season – such as Sunday’s 4-2 loss to Toronto – to try out young players like forward Alexander Nylander who made his NHL debut after being recalled from Rochester of the AHL on Monday. Coach Dan Bylsma pulled Robin Lehner after he allowed three goals on five shots. Anders Nilsson made 39 saves on 40 shots. The Sabres have lost three in a row as well as 14 of their last 20 games. Buffalo is 2-7 in the last nine games when playing at home against the Canadiens.
New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals NHL betting preview
Time: 8:05 PM
Venue: Verizon Center
Sportsbook odds for fans who bet on hockey:
Rangers +1½ (-190) 5½ (+105) +160
Capitals -1½ (+165) 5½ (-125) -185
New York: The Rangers snapped an eight-game home losing streak and clinched at least the first wild card from the Eastern Conference with 100 points with a 4-3 win against the Flyers on Sunday. Mats Zuccarello had three assists for 44 this season, as well 59 points; he leads the team in both categories. Mika Zibanejad, Brendan Smith, Oscar Lindberg, and Chris Kreider each scored a goal. The Rangers are still 8-1 in their last home games, but have won 16 of their last 22 on the road – and are, in fact, the best road team in the NHL. NYR is headed for a clash with the Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs.
Washington: The Caps came within one point of securing the Presidents’ Trophy with a 4-1 win over Toronto on Tuesday. This was the Capitals’ 109th win in the past two seasons, which is the most in consecutive seasons since the shootout was implemented. Washington has won nine of their last 11 games. The Caps have won 19 of their last 21 games at the Verizon Center. A win tonight would earn Washington the top seed in the Eastern Conference as well as home ice advantage in all four rounds of the postseason – should the Caps make it that far. And the Caps are the NHL betting favourite against the Rangers.