31...yes 31 total power play opportunities is what we've seen from these teams over the last three games. Typically as a series goes deeper and things tighten up a lot of the nonsense goes away and we see officials more reluctant to hand out power plays like Halloween candy. Montreal has really simplified their game on the road this postseason as well averaging just 1.62xG at 5 on 5 away from home. Combine that with Jakub Dobes strong play after a loss (4-0, .948 save percentage, 1.49 GAA) and we have the recipe for an under. Full disclosure I personally split my bet U6 full game and U1.5 (-105) for the 1st period tonight.
After scoring a career-high 51 goals to finish two behind Nathan MacKinnon for the Maurice Richard Trophy this season, Cole Caufield tallied just once in Montreal's first nine playoff contests. But he appears to have rediscovered his touch as he ended his five-game drought in Game 3 and converted again two nights later. Including the 2025-26 regular season, Caufield has six goals in eight outings against Buffalo, and I expect him to add to that total Thursday night.
I was on the Josh Doan assist train for each of Buffalo's last two games and safely reached my desired destination both times, so I'm taking another ride. He's notched an assist in five straight and six of his last seven after going without a point in his first three career playoff games. The Canadiens have yet to find a way to keep Doan off the scoresheet in this series, and I don't see them discovering a method in Game 5.
Montreal acquired Pastujov from Anaheim on Monday in exchange for Sean Farrell.
Davidson signed a one-year, two-way contract with Montreal on Monday.
McKown signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadiens on Monday.
Dach signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Canadiens on Thursday.
Krebs signed a four-year, $18 million contract with Buffalo on Monday.
Walsh signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadiens on Wednesday.
Villalta signed a one-year, two-way contract with Buffalo on Saturday.
Dobes signed a three-year, approximately $16 million contract with Montreal on Thursday.
McDonough signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Sabres on Thursday.
Samson agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with Montreal on Wednesday.
