The Carolina Hurricanes (33-9-8) hit the road to face the Buffalo Sabres (26-19-4) Wednesday at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (TNT). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Hurricanes vs. Sabres odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Hurricanes fell behind 4-1 against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday in Raleigh before rallying for 3 goals in the 3rd period to force overtime. Eventually, Sebastian Aho scored the game-winning goal in OT, his 5th straight game lighting the lamp, too.
The Sabres were tripped up 3-2 in a shootout in Minnesota on Saturday, snapping a 5-game winning streak. However, Buffalo has picked up at least a point in 7 games in a row. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 outings.
The Hurricanes (-205) won the 1st meeting against Buffalo this season 5-3 on Nov. 4 in Carolina as the 6.5 Over cashed.
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Hurricanes at Sabres odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:34 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Sabres +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes -1.5 (+145) | Sabres +1.5 (-170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Hurricanes at Sabres projected goalies
Antti Raanta (12-2-3, 2.55 GAA, .897 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (13-5-2, 3.26 GAA, .901 SV%)
Raanta allowed 3 goals on 29 shots in a 5-4 overtime win against the San Jose Sharks last time out on Friday night in Raleighwood. He actually was on the short end of a 3-2 score, and the Sharks scored an empty-net goal to make it 4-2. However, the Canes rallied for 2 goals with an extra attacker, and he ended up winning in OT.
UPL allowed a pair of goals on 35 shots in Saturday’s 3-2 SOL against the Wild, snapping a 3-game winning streak. He is 6-2-1 with a 3.06 GAA and .907 SV% in 9 starts in January.
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Hurricanes at Sabres picks and predictions
Prediction
Sabres 4, Hurricanes 3
Moneyline
The SABRES (+135) are a solid value on home ice in the final game before the All-Star break for both sides.
The Hurricanes (-155) had an emotional comeback win in OT over the Kings on Tuesday night, and then hopped a flight to western New York. According to flightaware.com, the Canes didn’t land in Buffalo until 12:27 a.m. ET, so they likely didn’t get to the team hotel until at least 2 a.m. It’s a tough turnaround playing in less than 24 hours, while the Sabres are rested, last playing Saturday.
Puck line/Against the spread
The SABRES +1.5 (-170) aren’t priced terribly out of line if you’d like a little bit of insurance. While I like Buffalo straight up due to the tough back-to-back situation for Carolina, the Sabres are a solid play on the puck line, too. Buffalo has covered the puck line as an underdog in 4 straight outings, while going 5-1 in the last 6 on the puck line as a ‘dog.
Over/Under
The OVER 6.5 (-110) is the lean, as Raanta has allowed 3 or more goals in all 3 of his starts in January, and 7 of his last 9 starts since the start of December.
The Over is also 6-1 in the last 7 games for the Canes on the road, while going 6-2 in the last 8 when playing on no rest.
The Over is 16-5-1 in the last 22 against Metropolitan Division teams for the Sabres, while cashing at a 16-5-5 clip in the last 26 meetings with the Canes.
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