Fireworks at Bell Centre: Saturday Expert Picks in the NHL
Written by: TonesTakes
Last Update: Sat Oct 17, 2026, 11:28 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
nhl
Spread
Total
Moneyline
+1.5
-200
6.5
-110u
+120
Spread
Total
Moneyline
-1.5
180
6
-105o
-133
Yesterday's article saw another win as the Avalanche defeated the Penguins 5-2 to cash the over 6.5. YTD now sits at 9-2 for a profit of 8.84 Units. It's been a fantastic start to the season for the Betting News team and I am thrilled to be able to provide my insight on the best sport in the world. Tonight is Saturday Night and Saturday night is Hockey Night, especially at the Bell Centre in Montreal where The Buffalo Sabres visit the Montreal Canadiens (for the 2nd time this week). I am targeting that game and the Seattle Kraken vs the Florida Panthers for the Best Bets on the Ice tonight.
Before we get started, bookmark Our NHL picks page where you'll see more picks from the team. For more information on how to bet on the NHL, take a look at our NHL Betting Guide.
As far as my NHL picks, I look at shot on goal props, but only plus money looks, as the market is very volatile with stat corrections (sometimes days after the game has ended). Also, I'm a totals bettor (team and game). I am never afraid at looking at plus money underdogs. I love providing my insight as to the "Why" and I hope to provide some guidance to novice bettors of this great sport. "Spot" betting is huge on the ice, and this depends on teams travel schedules, goaltending matchups and splits following a win/loss, among may others.
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Predictions
Canadiens forward Cole Caufield and defenseman Lane Hutson celebrate after scoring a goal.
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Goaltending Matchup
- Buffalo Sabres (4-3-1) – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Projected) 3-2-1, 3.53 GAA/.854 Sv%
- Montreal Canadiens (3-3-1) – Jakub Dobes (Projected) 1-2-1, 4.64 GAA/.842 Sv%
Sabres vs Canadiens Betting Odds
Odds courtesy of our friends at LuckyRebel:
Money-Line
- Buffalo Sabres (+120)
- Montreal Canadiens (-142)
Pick-Line
- Buffalo Sabres +1.5 (-205)
- Montreal Canadiens -1.5 (+170)
Total
- Over 6.5 (-110)
- Under 6.5 (-110)
Best Bet: Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Over 6.5 -110 Lucky Rebel
Atlantic Division rivals meet in Montreal for the 2nd time this week. The Habs secured a 4-3 shootout win on Tuesday night. Zachary Bolduc scored the decisive goal in the shootout after the Sabres tied the game with two 3rd period goals. Each team has played a game since then with the Sabres notching a 5-4 win, in Toronto, on Thursday while the Canadiens dropped a 5-4 decision Wednesday night, in Washington.
Both of these teams have plenty of offensive firepower and they have both struggled on the defensive end of the ice. The Sabres are allowing 3.63 goals per game (4.33 on the road) while Montreal is allowing 3.86 goals per game (3.50 at home). Goaltending has also been an issue for both as evidenced but the awful save percentage by the projected starters listed above. In my mind, save percentage is the true stat of the net-minders as goals against average can be influenced greatly by the team's defensive play in front of them.
These teams are also missing important pieces on the back end as Buffalo is without Rasmus Dahlin and Montreal is missing Mike Matheson. These teams love to play run and gun against each other as 4 of the last 6 meetings have gone over a total of 6.5, including the playoffs. Saturday night at the Bell Centre is always electric and it is the best hockey atmosphere in the league, I see no reason why anything will change tonight, take the Over.
I am also targeting 2 shot on goal props here, each by the respective teams best offensive player
Best Bet: Cole Caufield Over 3.5 SOG +120 Lucky Rebel
Montreal Canadians Cole Caufield celebrates scoring a goal.
Mr. Saturday night Cole "Goal" Caufield is one of the most exciting young players in the National Hockey League. Cole is know for always showing up on Saturday nights as he has scored 64 goals in 106 career Saturday games. Cole has cleared his SOG prop in 3 straight home games, averaging 5.7 shots on 9 attempts per game in that span. He registered 5 shots on 7 attempts in Tuesday's meeting and he should be heavily featured again in this divisional battle.
Best Bet: Tage Thompson Over 3.5 SOG +125 Lucky Rebel
Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson winds up a big shot.
Buffalo power forward Tage Thompson is another electric sniper that is featured in this contest. Tage gas begun the season by clearing this mark in 6 of 8 games, averaging 4.6 shots per game on 7.8 attempts. He was held to only 1 shot on 7 attempts in Tuesday's meeting so I expect a big bounce back outing here for the star Center.
Seattle Kraken vs Florida Panthers Predictions
Seattle Kraken vs Florida Panthers Goaltending Matchup
- Seattle Kraken (5-2-1) – Joey Daccord (Projected) 3-1, 2.74 GAA/.913 SV%
- Florida Panthers (4-2-2) – Jacob Markstrom (Confirmed) 2-1-1, 2.03 GAA/.904 SV%
Kraken vs Panthers Betting Odds
Odds courtesy of our friends at LuckyRebel:
Money-Line
- Seattle Kraken (+154)
- Florida Panthers (-185)
Pick-Line
- Seattle Kraken +1.5 (-182)
- Florida Panthers -1.5 (+136)
Total
- Over 6.5 (+110)
- Under 6.5 (-130)
Best Bet: Seth Jones Over 2.5 SOG +210 Lucky Rebel
Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones has been firing pucks toward the net to start the season. Seth has cleared 3 shots on goal in 5 of 8 games this season, including 4 straight. Jones is averaging 3 shots on goal on 5.9 attempts per game. He faces an A+ matchup tonight against a Seattle team that allows 9.3 shot per game to Defenseman, which is 2nd most in the league. Seattle is also on the last game of an already successful 5 game eastern trip and this is their 5th game in 8 nights. This has been a grueling trip for the Kraken and I expect sluggish legs today. If you follow me on Twitter you know that I am not shy at taking big plus money plays and with the Panthers looking to continue their recent momentum, I'll gladly take this price on Jones to lead the offense from the blue-line.
Be sure to check out other NHL plays from the great staff here at Betting News, as well as additional social media content.
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