The Buffalo Sabres (32-26-4) face the New York Islanders (32-25-8) on Tuesday. Puck drop at UBS Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Sabres vs. Islanders odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Sabres have hit the skids a little, dropping 3 of the past 4 games overall, while yielding 3 or more goals in 5 straight, and 12 of the past 14, outings. Buffalo finds itself 3 points out of the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Islanders earned a 4-1 matinee win against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. New York has cashed the Under in 5 straight games while alternating wins and losses.
Buffalo won the most recent meeting 3-2 score in overtime at KeyBank Center on Jan. 19. This is the 2nd of 3 regular-season meetings, with the final meeting scheduled for March 25 in New York.
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Sabres at Islanders odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:57 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Sabres +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Islanders -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Sabres +1.5 (-170) | Islanders -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Sabres at Islanders projected goalies
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (15-9-2, 3.63 GAA, .891 SV%) vs. Ilya Sorokin (21-18-6, 2.34 GAA, .925 SV%, 5 SO)
Luukkonen was on the short end of a 7-1 loss Thursday at the Boston Bruins, stopping 35 of the 40 shots he faced. He has allowed 4 or more goals in 3 straight starts and 5 of his past 6 outings overall. Luukkonen stopped 24 of 26 shots in the 3-2 OT win over the Islanders on Jan. 19.
Sorokin allowed just a single goal on 23 shots in a 4-1 win against the Red Wings Saturday. He has won 4 of his past 6 starts, allowing 8 total goals across the past 5 assignments. Sorokin was on the short end of that OT setback in Buffalo in mid-January, although he sparkled with 42 saves on 45 shots.
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Sabres at Islanders picks and predictions
Prediction
Islanders 3, Sabres 2
Moneyline
The ISLANDERS (-170) are a little on the expensive side, but New York should be able to get it done on home ice.
The Sabres just haven’t played very well lately, and it is extremely concerning that the Buffalo defenders and goaltenders have had a difficult time keeping the puck out of its own net.
Puck line/Against the spread
The SABRES +1.5 (-170) are quite pricey, but it isn’t terribly out of line if you’d like a little insurance. This should be a close game, similar to the OT decision we saw in Buffalo in the first meeting in mid-January.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (-115) appears to be a little risky, as Buffalo has coughed up 22 goals across the past 5 games. However, New York has scored just 13 goals across the past 5 contests, while yielding just 9 goals in the previous 6 outings. The Isles’ inability to score, while solid play from their blue liners and solid goaltending, is what is driving this Under train.
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