The Buffalo Sabres (6-11-3) square off with the New York Islanders (12-6-4) Thursday with a 7 p.m. ET puck drop at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Below, we analyze the Sabres-Islanders odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
Sabres at Islanders: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Sabres +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Islanders -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Sabres +1.5 (-175) | Islanders -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under: 5 (O: -130 | U: +115)
Sabres at Islanders: Projected starting goalies
Carter Hutton (1-6-1, 3.18 GAA, .891 SV%) vs. Semyon Varlamov (10-4-3, 2.10 GAA, .927 SV%, 3 SO)
Hutton is handling the everyday duties with Linus Ullmark on the shelf due to injury. Hutton has dropped five straight starts, including a 3-0 loss at home against the Islanders Feb. 16. He allowed 2 goals on 23 shots.
Varlamov allowed just one goal on 29 shots Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils, and he was 14 seconds away from his fourth shutout of the season before a late goal with an extra attacker. He is 2-0-0 with a 3 goals allowed and a .947 SV% in his two starts against the Sabres this season. Varlamov is also 6-0-2 with a 2.09 GAA and .934 SV% in eight starts at home.
Special NHL Betting Promotion! Bet $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team scores a goal in the game. Betting offer available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. Place your legal, online bets at BetMGM. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Sabres at Islanders: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Islanders 5, Sabres 1
Money line (ML)
The ISLANDERS (-200) are slightly over my personal money line limit of -180, but sometimes you have to make an exception.
New York has been red-hot, vaulting within two points of the first-place Washington Capitals in the East Division. The Sabres enter on an 0-3-1 skid, and they have scored just two total goals in their previous three outings.
Facing the Islanders isn’t a cure for the ills of the Sabres, either. Buffalo has dropped six in a row against the Isles, and each of their past six trips to Long Island, as well.
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Against the spread (ATS)
The ISLANDERS -1.5 (+145) are a good play on the puck line, as they have won by 2 or more goals in six of their past eight victories, including two of their victories over the Sabres.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 5.5 (+125) on the alternate line is risky considering the Sabres have been shut out in two of their past three games, but the Islanders are 5-1-1 to the Over in their past seven home games and 3-1-2 in their past six as a home favorite.
The New York offense should be able to pile up plenty of goals against Hutton and could even take care of the Over without any help from the Sabres.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Joe Williams on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]