Ryan Hodges
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Monday is the first of two single-game slates this week as Wednesday brings the same. The Canadiens visit the Sabres for tonight’s only NHL action. After losing their first couple of games, the Sabres have won 2 out of their last 3. The Canadiens look to still be in their rebuild this year but are off to a solid start through 4 games. Although tonight lacks quantity in games, this Canadiens-Sabres matchup should be a good one for hockey fans to watch. There are plenty of young stars and the potential for a high-scoring game. Tonight will be a nice, easy start to the week before all 32 teams are suited up on Tuesday.
You can also find out our NHL predictions for today’s matchup, but for now, let’s dive into our best NHL prop bets.
Cole Caufield over 3.5 shots on goal (-105)
The Canadiens are 2-1-1 through 4 games to start the season. They have played 2 good teams and 2 bad teams. Regardless of the opponent, Cole Caufield has been producing early on. He has 3 goals and 2 assists in 4 games and his 5 points leads the team. For any offense the Canadiens generate, there is a good chance Caufield is involved. He is on Montreal’s top line and top power play. Constantly being on the ice with other talented players on the team has reaped opportunities for Caufield thus far. Tonight should be no different.
In Montreal’s 4 games, Caufield has tallied 16 shots for an average of 4 shots on goal per game. He has a +1 rating and has produced both even strength and on the power play. Tonight’s game looks a little bit better for the Sabres. If that is indeed the case, the Canadiens may be playing a little bit of catch-up throughout the game. With that game script, Montreal will need to take more offensive chances and get everything on net that they possibly can. Even if the game script goes by way of a close game or in favor of the Canadiens, Caufield will likely have something to do with Montreal being in the game. Until or unless he slows down a little bit, Caufield props have been reliable.
Read our full Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres predictions
Dylan Cozens over 0.5 points (-125)
The Sabres have high expectations this year and rightfully so. They finished last year on a 9-2-1 and with 91 points for their first winning season in over a decade. A big part of their recent ascent is their youth movement. Buffalo has several young, talented players either in or entering their prime. Dylan Cozens is one of those players. In 81 games played last year, Cozens had 31 goals and 68 points. He has 2 goals and 2 assists in 5 games to start this season. Playing on a solid line in a favorable matchup gives Cozens’ props appeal tonight.
Dylan Cozens is on the Sabres’ top line with Tage Thompson and Jordan Greenway. He is also on the top power play with Thompson, Jeff Skinner, Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin. Cozens is a major part of an offensively talented Sabres core. He will have opportunities to produce game in and game out as evident by last season and the start of this season. The Sabres should be the better team in this game. In a favorable matchup, Dylan Cozens has a good chance to get on the score sheet.
Check out today’s full NHL analysis
