The Buffalo Sabres (10-16-5) visit the New York Islanders (8-12-6) Thursday at UBS Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Sabres vs. Islanders odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Sabres lost a tough one 4-3 at home to the New Jersey Devils as play resumed Wednesday. The Sabres were outshot 42-22, although RW Tage Thompson showed up with 2 of the team’s 3 goals.
The Islanders were also supposed to play Wednesday and have a back-to-back situation, but the Red Wings had too many COVID issues to field a team. So the Isles come in with extra rest, last playing Dec. 19 in a shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Sabres at Islanders odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:08 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Sabres +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Islanders -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Sabres +1.5 (-150) | Islanders -1.5 (+120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Sabres at Islanders projected goalies
Malcolm Subban (0-1-1, 4.79 GAA, .877 SV%) vs. Ilya Sorokin (7-7-5, 2.49 GAA, .926 SV%, 3 SO)
Subban gets the nod after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was the backstop in the home loss to New Jersey Wednesday. Subban last appeared Dec. 17 in Pittsburgh when he turned aside 45 of the 48 shots he faced in a 3-2 overtime loss.
Sorokin was in between the pipes last time out Dec. 19 against Vegas and he turned aside 31 of the 34 shots he faced in a shootout loss. He is still a respectable 2-1-3 with a 2.62 GAA and .921 SV% in six December appearances.
Sabres at Islanders odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Islanders 3, Sabres 2
Money line
The Islanders (-220) are well-rested, but risking more than two times your potential return on a sub-.500 team is just not a recommended wager.
AVOID, and look to the puck for a small-unit bet instead.
Against the spread
Play the SABRES +1.5 (-150) lightly, as this price isn’t terribly out of line.
The Islanders have just been too inconsistent this season. The past three games for the Sabres have also been one-goal games, and five of their last six have been decided by just one goal, too.
Over/Under
UNDER 5.5 (-115) is the lean here. While New York is rested there will likely be a rust factor. The Under is 5-1-1 in the last seven games for the Sabres, while going 2-1 in the three games prior to the holiday/COVID pause.
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