In their third head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Detroit Red Wings and the Buffalo Sabres clash at the KeyBank Center. NBC Sports Network will broadcast this divisional matchup, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 6.
Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres Odds
Buffalo (-220) is currently the favorite over Detroit (+180), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 under, +100 over.
The Sabres are 23-30 straight up (SU) and have not been kind to moneyline bettors (to the tune of -4.8 units) thus far. That early-season winning percentage isn’t too far off from to what the team produced during the 2018-19 season (33-49). Through 53 regular season outings, 26 of its games have gone under the total, while 25 have gone over and just two have pushed. This year, the team is 15-12 SU at home.
Buffalo’s converted on 19.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 26th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 74.7 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Buffalo has been called for penalties 3.3 times per game overall this season, and 2.2 per game over its last five outings home outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays for just 5.0 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 28.5 saves per game with a .914 save percentage, Linus Ullmark (16 wins, 17 losses, and three OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for the Sabres this year. If they decide to give him a rest, however, Buffalo might turn to Carter Hutton (7-14-14 record, .891 save percentage, 3.30 goals against average).
The Sabres will continue relying on leadership from Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart. Eichel (66 points) has tallied 31 goals and 35 assists and has recorded multiple points in 17 different games this year. Reinhart has 19 goals and 25 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 31 games.
On the other side of the ice, Detroit is 12-42 straight up (SU) and has lost 23.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 25 of its matches have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just six have pushed. Detroit’s 4-22 SU as the road team this season.
Detroit has converted on just 14.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully defended 73.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Detroit’s players have been penalized 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Bernier (26.2 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Detroit. Bernier has 10 wins, 20 losses, and two OT losses to his credit, while registering a .908 save percentage and 2.89 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Red Wings, the offense will be facilitated by Dylan Larkin (13 goals, 24 assists) and Tyler Bertuzzi (17 goals, 19 assists).
Detroit Red Wings vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Both teams are 1-1 in games decided by shootout.
- The under has hit in three of Buffalo’s last five games.
- Seven of Detroit’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 0-7 in those games.
- Detroit skaters have dished out the league’s 12th-most hits per game (22.4).
