The Nashville Predators (21-18-7) host the Buffalo Sabres (22-19-7) Saturday in Music City. Puck drop at Bridgestone Arena is scheduled for shortly after 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Sabres-Predators sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Sabres at Predators: Projected starting goalies
Carter Hutton vs. Pekka Rinne
Hutton is without a win in his last 11 outings dating back to Oct. 22. He is 6-7-4 on the season with a .892 save percentage and 3.34 goals against average. He has allowed 17 goals over his last three outings.
Rinne gave up three goals on 31 shots in a loss to the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday. The veteran is 15-10-3 on the season with a .896 SV% and 3.02 GAA.
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Sabres at Predators: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Sabres 4, Predators 3
Moneyline (ML)
The Predators (-200) are laying too much chalk to be worth a play on the moneyline. They’ve lost two straight games to the Oilers and Anaheim Ducks, both by 4-2 counts, and are just 3-6-1 across their last 10 games. The SABRES (+165) enter on a three-game win streak, but they’re just 8-13-4 on the road for the season. Their last two wins came against stiff competition in the Vegas Golden Knights (4-2) and Dallas Stars (4-1).
With a $10 bet on the Sabres to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returning a profit of $16.50, the visitors are well worth backing on a smaller-unit play against the struggling Preds.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The play I prefer Saturday is the safer one. Back the SABRES (+1.5, -167) to either lose by 1 goal or win outright. The Sabres are 28-20 against the spread overall and 15-10 on the road, while the Preds are 18-28 ATS overall and 8-15 on home ice.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the OVER 5.5 (-139) with the Sabres rolling offensively of late and the shaky Buffalo goaltending opening the doors for the stagnant Nashville offense. The Sabres have scored at least 3 goals in each of their last four games. The Predators have totaled just 5 goals across their last three games.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 172-157
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