The Buffalo Sabres (6-12-3) play the second of a three-game set on the road against the New York Islanders (13-6-4) Saturday for a 1 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 6:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Sabres +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Islanders -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Sabres +1.5 (-155) | Islanders -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +120 | U: -145)
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 projected as the starter after Jonas Johansson allowed five goals on 45 shots in Thursday’s series opener on the Island. With a back-to-back Saturday and Sunday, we’ll likely see Johansson again Sunday.
Hutton has really struggled, winning his only start Jan. 18 in Philadelphia. He has dropped his past five starts, including a 3-0 loss at home against the Islanders. Hutton was actually solid in that one, turning aside 21 of 23 shots, but the offense gave him no support.
Varlamov was sharp Tuesday in New Jersey, stopping 28 of 29 shots, and he was just 12 seconds shy of his fourth shutout of the season. He is projected to make his third start of the season against the Sabres.
Varlamov is 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .947 SV% in his two previous starts this season against Buffalo. Look for the Isles to roll on in the second of this three-game series.
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 2
Money line (ML)
The Islanders (-225) will cost you two times your potential return, and while they’re expected to win against the Sabres (+185), there is just no value here. Play the puck line for a better wager. PASS.
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Against the spread (ATS)
The ISLANDERS -1.5 (+125) is a much better play on home ice against the offensively-challenged Sabres +1.5 (-155). They won Thursday’s game by a 5-2 count against the Sabres, and they have covered the puck line in two of the previous three meetings with Buffalo so far this season.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 5.5 (+120) will cost you a little extra, but the Islanders have the potential to take care of the Over on their own with little help from the Sabres.
If Buffalo can contribute anything, the Over is a solid play. They have totaled three goals in the first three meetings with New York, so don’t expect much more than a goal or two, though.
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]