1* free play on BUF@MTL Over...

The Montreal Canadiens will host Eastern Conference rivals Buffalo on Thursday night at the Bell Centre, and the Habs are in fine form on home ice. Montreal is 6-0-1 in it's last seven home games, but currently sit seven games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. A home game against the cellar dwelling Sabres presents an opportunity to narrow that margin. My money is on the over as the total looks a little low for this contest.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Previous History - These have combined to score at least five goals in each of the last five meetings, with the total going over at a rate of 4-0-1 during that span. The Habs have gone over at a rate of 7-3-2 in their last 12 versus Eastern Conference teams.

2. Goaltending - Ben Scrivens has surrendered at least three goals in each of his last four starts, while Mike Condon has lost three straight, surrendering a woeful 11 goals in those three losses. Buffalo's Robin Lehner was pulled from his last start after surrendering three goals on 14 shots.

3. X-Factor - Alex Galchenyuk is feeling the hot hand, with six goals in his last four games. He's scored three goals in three previous meetings with the Sabres this season.

Selection: This is a play on Buffalo@Montreal to go OVER the total (Free)