The Canadiens will host the Sabres on Sunday night in Game 3 of the second round of the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, with puck drop at 7:00 p.m. ET. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Montreal is a -122 home favorite on the Moneyline, and the game’s total is set at O/U 5.5 goals.

Below, I’ll provide a Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 3 prediction and pick.

Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 3 prediction, preview

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens ran the Sabres out of their own building in Game 2, winning 5-1, thanks to early offensive production and elite goaltending from Jakub Dobes. Dobes was elite in the first round against the Lightning, but he struggled in Game 1 against the Sabres, stopping just 12-of-16 shots. However, the 24-year-old responded with a strong Game 2, stopping 28-of-29 shots, many of which were considered high-danger chances. Montreal’s whole postseason trend has been winning every other game, and if that continues, it means the club will end up losing tonight in Game 3, but it played some of its best hockey this postseason in Game 2 and should enter tonight’s matchup with some momentum. Plus, it helps that the series shifts to Montreal for the next two games, and Habs fans are amongst the rowdiest fanbases in the NHL.

Perhaps the biggest development for this Canadiens team was its ability to score goals at even strength, which is probably the best way to beat the Sabres consistently. Montreal scored five times in Game 2, with four of them coming while playing at 5v5 and the other being an empty netter by Nick Suzuki to ice the game. It also helps that the club controlled the Sabres on the power play in Game 2, unlike it did in Game 1, where it allowed the Sabres to convert 2-of-3 power play opportunities in a 4-2 loss.

Buffalo Sabres

This Sabres team must respond in a big way in either Game 3 or 4 to prevent this series from getting out of hand. The eye test tells the average viewer that the Canadiens have the advantage in goaltending, speed and overall talent, and it doesn’t help that Buffalo’s “stars” have failed to show up thus far. Tage Thompson likely played the worst game of his career in Game 2, with multiple back-breaking turnovers that led directly to scoring chances for the Canadiens. Alex Tuch played an awful game, as well, and Alex Lyon finally looked human between the pipes, allowing four goals on 27 shots. Lyon has been elite for Buffalo this postseason, but he most definitely hates facing the Habs, as he sports a 4-4-0 record with a 3.14 GAA and .885 SV% across eight career games against them.

While Lyon had an off game, it was more on the defense in front of him, as they allowed far too many high-danger chances. Buffalo ranked inside the top-half of the NHL in high-danger chances against during the regular season, and that showed up in a big way in Game 2, with Montreal routinely forcing odd-man rushes and quality chances. The Sabres have one of, if not the worst, power play units in the postseason, and that isn’t going to cut it against such a good team like the Canadiens. I’d expect to see a few line changes from head coach Lindy Ruff, especially with the Sabres finally seeing some key pieces return from lengthy absences.

Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 3 pick, best bet

Best Bet: OVER 5.5 Total Goals (-130)

Each of the first two games of the series has gone over this total, and while both goaltenders are capable of standing on their heads any given night, these offenses are filled with talent. Dobes is the key here, but Buffalo ranks inside the top-six in both goals per 60 and xGoals per 60 this postseason.