Canadiens vs. Sabres Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest Stanley Cup Playoff Odds for Thursday's Game 5?
The Buffalo Sabres rebounded nicely in Game 4 after a slow start, and now can take a series advantage in Game 5. Tage Thompson snapped his scoring drought, can he keep it going in Game 5 tonight in Buffalo? Let's take a look at this Canadiens vs. Sabres prediction and best betting pick for Thursday, May 14th.
Peter Alexis - May 14, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT
4 Minute ReadCanadiens vs. Sabres Prediction: Can Tage Thompson, Buffalo Heat Up at Home in Game 5?
The Canadiens and Sabres return to Buffalo on Thursday night for Game 5 at 7 p.m. ET on TNT with the series tied 2-2. Montreal had a chance to take full control at home in Game 4, but Buffalo answered with a 3-2 win behind goals from Mattias Samuelsson, Tage Thompson, and Zach Benson.
The Sabres now get home ice back with a chance to turn the series again. Buffalo is a -120 favorite, and the price is playable after the way it settled down in Game 4, survived Montreal’s early push, and got the goaltending response it needed.
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Canadiens vs. Sabres Date, Time, and Where to Watch Game 5
- Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: TNT, TruTV, HBOMax
Canadiens vs. Sabres Odds Game 5
Click here for the latest Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 5 Odds
Canadiens vs. Sabres Prediction
Buffalo’s Game 4 win had the feel of a team stopping the slide before it became a problem. The Sabres had been outscored 11-3 across Games 2 and 3, then fell behind after Montreal answered their early goal with strikes from Alex Newhook and Cole Caufield. Instead of folding, Buffalo found a strange but important equalizer from Thompson in the second period, then won it on Benson’s power-play goal in the third. That response matters heading back to KeyBank Center.
The goalie situation is the biggest reason to like Buffalo in Game 5. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got the Game 4 start after Alex Lyon had allowed nine goals on 63 shots over the previous two games, and Luukkonen answered with 28 saves in the win. Whether Buffalo stays with him or returns to Lyon, the Sabres finally got a steadier performance in net and tightened the game after a rough start. That is the blueprint they need at home.
Montreal is still dangerous because its offense has woken up in this series. Caufield scoring in Game 4 was important after a quiet stretch, Newhook has been a consistent playoff factor, and the Canadiens have shown they can create pressure in waves when the forecheck is rolling. The concern is whether they can keep matching Buffalo’s push away from home. The Sabres have more depth, more home-ice energy, and the stronger setup now that the series has reset to a best-of-three.
Canadiens vs. Sabres Best Bet
- Pick: Sabres Moneyline (-120) Check out these best odds on BetMGM Sportsbook
Montreal has been resilient all postseason, but Buffalo’s Game 4 response should travel back home with confidence. The Sabres stabilized in net, got their power play to produce the winner, and now have a chance to take a 3-2 series lead in front of their own crowd.
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