Tag: Buffalo Sabres

Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (38-21-6) hit the road again, taking on the Buffalo Sabres (29-29-8) Thursday at KeyBank Center at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Penguins-Sabres sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Penguins at Sabres: Projected starting goalies

Matt Murray vs. Carter Hutton

Murray has been making inroads toward wrestling back the starting job from All-Star Tristan Jarry, who has been struggling. Jarry was 16-8-1 with a 2.16 goals against average and .929 save percentage with three shutouts before the All-Star break, but he is 4-3-0 with a 2.86 GAA and .907 SV% since. Murray is 3-4-1 with a 2.89 GAA and .898 SV% since the break, so they’re running neck and neck right now.

Hutton has been super streaky this season with a 12-13-4 record, 3.18 GAA and .898 SV% through 29 starts and a relief appearance. He is 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .958 SV% in his two starts against the Pens this season.

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Penguins at Sabres: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:25 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Sabres 4, Penguins 3

Moneyline (ML)

The SABRES (+135) are a solid value, based on Hutton’s splits against the Penguins (-167) this season. Plus, the Pens have dropped five in a row away from the Steel City and they have won just once in their past seven games overall.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Sabres ML returns a profit of $13.50 if they win, while a $10 wager on the Penguins ML results in a profit of $6.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Sabres (+1.5, -200) are a bit expensive if you aren’t feeling Buffalo on the moneyline but want a little insurance. Typically I am not a fan of risking twice my potential return, so just bet the moneyline. AVOID.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-143) is a little too much juice for my liking, but this is the play. The Over is 4-1-1 in the past six for the Pens against Eastern Conference foes, while going 3-1-1 in the past six against Atlantic Division foes. The Over is 4-0 in Buffalo’s past four against the East and 9-4 in the past 13 against Metropolitan Division opponents.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Buffalo Sabres at Winnipeg Jets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Buffalo Sabres at Winnipeg Jets sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Buffalo Sabres (29-28-8) invade Bell MTS Place Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET to battle the Winnipeg Jets (33-28-6). We analyze the Sabres-Jets sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Sabres at Jets: Projected starting goalies

Carter Hutton vs. Connor Hellebuyck

Hutton has been rather erratic this season, although he is 12-12-4 overall with a 3.18 goals against average and .898 save percentage. He started the season on a winning streak, he endured an ugly slide from late October through January, and picked up the pace in February in place of the injured Linus Ullmark. The 34-year-old is 6-5-0 with a 2.93 GAA and .907 SV% in 11 starts and 12 appearances since the All-Star break.

Hellebuyck has rolled up a 27-21-5 record, 2.67 GAA and .919 SV% through his 52 starts and two relief appearances with five shutouts. He has been slightly better on home ice at 15-11-3 with a 2.58 GAA and .920 SV% with three shutouts. Hellebuyck and the Jets just tackled the Sabres in Buffalo Feb. 23, and they were on the short end of a 2-1 decision.

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Sabres at Jets: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:20 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Jets 4, Sabres 2

Moneyline (ML)

The JETS (-175) are moderate favorites on home ice against the Sabres (+145), as they look to avenge the 2-1 setback in Buffalo. The Sabres have managed just the one win in seven previous Western Conference battles, and they’re a dismal 14-46 in their past 60 games on the road. Winnipeg has won five of their past seven on home ice, and they’re 10-3 in the past 13 as a home favorite.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jets to grab the road win returns a profit of $5.70, while a $10 wager on the Sabres results in a profit of $14.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The JETS (-1.5, +150) are a good value on the puck line, as I expect them to play much better in this one than they did in Buffalo. Plus, the Sabres are a dismal 5-13 in their past 18 trips to Winnipeg, as MTS Place has been a house of horrors. A small-unit play is more than warranted.

Over/Under (O/U)

The trends are all over the board. The Under dominates for the Jets, while the Over has been the rule for the Sabres lately. The Under hit in the first meeting, but if I had any lean it would be to the Over. Still, the best move is not to play. AVOID.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Buffalo Sabres at Vegas Golden Knights odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Buffalo Sabres at Vegas Golden Knights sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Buffalo Sabres (29-26-8) visit the Vegas Golden Knights (35-22-8) Friday at T-Mobile Arena for a 10 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Sabres-Golden Knights odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Both teams played Wednesday. The Sabres lost 3-2 at the Colorado Avalanche, while the Golden Knights blanked the Edmonton Oilers 3-0 at home for a seventh-consecutive win.

Buffalo took the first regular-season matchup vs. Vegas with a 4-2 home win Jan. 14. C Jack Eichel scored the go-ahead goal 7:57 into the third period.

Sabres at Golden Knights: Projected starting goalies

Carter Hutton vs. Marc-Andre Fleury

Hutton is 12-11-4 with a 3.18 goals against average (GAA) and a .898 save percentage in 28 games (27 starts). He’s 6-3 with a 3.06 GAA and a .905 SV% in February, losing his last start Wednesday at Colorado (31 saves vs. 34 shots). Hutton didn’t face Vegas in the Jan. 14 meeting.

Fleury is 26-14-5 with a 2.73 GAA and a .908 SV%. He took the loss vs. the Sabres Jan. 14, allowing 3 goals on 25 shots. However, he’s won his last five starts – including a 29-save shutout Wednesday – and is 7-2-1 with a 2.27 GAA and a .913 SV% this month. There is a slight chance Robin Lehner (16-10-5, 3.01 GAA, .918 SV%) could make his first Vegas start – he was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks Monday – but this wouldn’t change any of the suggested plays below.

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Sabres at Golden Knights: Key injuries

Sabres

  • G Linus Ullmark (leg) out
  • C Dominik Kahun (knee) questionable

Golden Knights

  • RW Alex Tuch (lower body) questionable

Sabres at Golden Knights: 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 at 8:55 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Golden Knights 5, Sabres 3

Moneyline (ML)

AVOID. The Golden Knights (-250) are understandably a big favorite – they’re 20-10-4 at home – but the price is too chalky for my liking. Every $2.50 wagered on the ML will only profit $1 if Vegas wins. The Sabres (+200) offer a nice 2-1 payoff, but they’re 10-16-4 on the road. PASS.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (PL/ATS)

VEGAS (-1.5, +110) is worth a small-unit play. The Knights have won their last six at home and have covered the PL in three of their last four. But Buffalo (+1.5, -134) is one of the better PL teams in the league, going 36-27 overall and 19-11 on the road. I’ll still take my chances with the Golden Knights since they’re the hottest team in the NHL right now.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-143) is the STRONGEST PLAY. Three of Vegas’ last four games have seen at least 8 goals, while Buffalo is 4-2 O/U in its last six games. Plus, the O/U is 4-1 in the Sabres last five games vs. a team with a winning record.

Every $1.43 wagered on the Over will profit $1 if the two combine for 6 or more goals (shootout goals only count as 1 goal in the combined total).

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. 

Johnny’s record since Dec. 1: 46-29-2. Strongest plays: 26-11.

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Buffalo Sabres at Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Buffalo Sabres at Colorado Avalanche sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Buffalo Sabres (29-25-8) visit the Colorado Avalanche (36-18-7) Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET at the Pepsi Center. We analyze the Sabres-Avalanche odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Sabres at Avalanche: Projected starting goalies

Carter Hutton vs. Pavel Francouz

Hutton is 12-10-4 and owns a 3.19 goals against average and an .897 save percentage through 27 games. The 34-year-old has gone 5-1 with a .916 mark over his last six games. He stopped 41 of 43 pucks in his last start, a 5-2 win at the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday.

Francouz, 16-5-3, has logged a 2.27 GAA and .927 SV% in 26 games. He has started five straight games for the Avs who haven’t played since Saturday. The 29-year-old Czechoslovakia native has registered a 1.67 GAA and .938 SV% in six February games (five starts). Francouz has stopped 73 of 75 shots (.973 SV) over his last three starts.

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Sabres at Avalanche: 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 at 8 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Colorado 4, Buffalo 1

Moneyline (ML)

Colorado is -228; Buffalo is +185. The Avs are 5-2-2 (+$436) when playing on three or more days rest. Despite leading the NHL in games won by three goals, Colorado has a .450 winning percentage in one-goal games.

The better risk/reward play here is on the puck line. AVOID.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Colorado has outshot foes in six of its last seven games and remains a solid risk-reward play on most nights despite being just mere percentage points short of the best record in the Western Conference. Buffalo is 6-2 over its last eight, but shooting and save percentages, and puck-possession indicators point to the Sabres having a bit of extra “puck luck” over this stretch.

The Avs have won a league-best 18 games by three goals or more. They’ve won another nine by two goals, and their combined 27 multi-goal wins is also an NHL high. The price here has a bit of value: Take COLORADO (-1.5 +120).

Over/Under (O/U)

The Under has prevailed in three straight Colorado games and in nine of the Avs’ last 10. However, Hutton’s last four starts for Buffalo have gone Over. But the public and the house are all over this one. SKIP the O/U 5.5 (Over -134, Under +110).

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Toronto Maple Leafs (31-20-8) take a quick trip across the border to play the Atlantic Division-rival Buffalo Sabres (26-24-8), in the KeyBank Center at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Maple Leafs-Sabres odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Maple Leafs at Sabres: Projected starting goalies

Frederik Andersen vs. Jonas Johansson

Anderson lost in his last start against the Dallas Stars at home, saving just 16 of 19 shots. His record is now 24-10-6 with a .909 save percentage and 2.88 goals against average. 

Johansson is making just his third start in his career as he was called up after backup goaltender Linus Ullmark was sidelined with an injury. This is back-to-back starts for Johansson who’s lost both of his starts and is 0-1-1 with a .899 SV% and 2.78 GAA.

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Maple Leafs at Sabres: 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 at 12:40 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Sabres 4, Leafs 3

Moneyline (ML)

While the Maples Leafs are seeded eighth in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt, and Buffalo is 11 points behind the second wild card team, this is a fierce rivalry that the Sabres will get up for. Toronto is 7-1 in the last eight tilts against Buffalo, but the Leafs played on Saturday night and Toronto is 2-6-3 in the second game of back-to-backs. One of those victories did come in the second of a home and away back-to-back against Buffalo. The difference in this game is that the Sabres didn’t play the night before and are fresher than the Leafs. Expect the Sabres to hold down home ice and bet BUFFALO +125. 

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

It’d be wise to take BUFFALO +1.5 (-209) as insurance for our moneyline wager. Buffalo is 6-1 ATS over the previous seven games. Also, the Sabres are 27-12 as 1.5-goal dogs and the Leafs are 19-30 against the 1.5-goal puck line this season.

Over/Under (O/U)

The matchup to watch is first-line centers Sabres’ Jack Eichel vs. Leafs’ Auston Matthews. Buffalo’s captain has 22 points in 16 career games against the Leafs. Matthews scored two goals in their first meeting this season, but has only tallied one assist in the next two games. Eichel will continue his tear against Toronto, and Matthews will light the lamp in Buffalo against a rookie goalie. 

The Over/Under Leafs-Sabres trends look good for the Over too. The Over is 18-7-3 in the last 28 meetings. Bookmakers have adjusted — setting their totals at 6.5 for the past six meetings — and the Over is 4-2 in those games. OVER 6.5 (+120) is the play.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Columbus Blue Jackets at Buffalo Sabres odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Columbus Blue Jackets at Buffalo Sabres sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Buffalo Sabres (25-24-8) host the Columbus Blue Jackets (30-17-10) Thursday at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Blue Jackets-Sabres sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Blue Jackets at Sabres: Projected starting goalies

Elvis Merzlikins vs. Carter Hutton

Merzlikins took a 2-1 overtime loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning his last time out, despite stopping 28 of 30 shots faced. The 25-year-old is 12-7-5 with a 2.19 goals against average and .930 save percentage on his rookie season.

Hutton has strung together a rare two-game winning streak. He stopped a total of 64 of 68 shots against the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings. He is 9-9-4 with a 3.18 GAA and .896 SV% through 22 starts and one relief appearance.

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Blue Jackets at Sabres: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 8:40 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Blue Jackets 5, Sabres 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Blue Jackets and Sabres have equal -110 odds in a pick ’em Thursday in Buffalo. The Jackets are 7-1-2 across their last 10 games and 12-7-7 on the road for the season, but they’ve dropped two straight games to the Colorado Avalanche (2-1) and Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1) with injuries to Cam Atkinson and Seth Jones weakening the lineup. The Sabres are coming off a 3-2 win over the Red Wings Tuesday, but they’re just 4-5-1 over their last 10 games and a modest 16-10-4 at home.

Take the BLUE JACKETS (-110) with no direction offered from the oddsmakers. The Jackets are still the stronger team, even with the injuries, and Merzlikins is the far better of the two goaltenders.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

We’re going to go to the alternate puck line and back the BLUE JACKETS (-1.5, +260) to win by at least 2 goals on the road. Columbus is 33-24 against the spread overall and 19-7 on the road. Buffalo is 31-26 ATS overall but just 14-16 on home ice.

The season series is split 1-1 coming into Thursday with both sides winning in overtime. The Jackets have been the much better team since the start of January and are the play.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 5.5 (+105) as the more profitable side of the total bet and expect the Blue Jackets to take care of the bulk of the scoring. Columbus is just 2-8 against the Over/Under across its last 10 games and Buffalo is 3-6-1 against the number in the same span. Fade Hutton’s two-game hot streak.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 227-209

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Detroit Red Wings (14-39-4) and Buffalo Sabres (24-24-8) meet at KeyBank Center in Buffalo at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday. We analyze the Red Wings-Sabres sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Red Wings at Sabres: Projected starting goalies

Jonathan Bernier vs. Carter Hutton

Bernier led the Red Wings to a stunning win over the Boston Bruins this past weekend while stopping 39 of 40 shots faced. He has a respectable 12-14-2 record, 2.82 goals against average and .911 save percentage across his 29 starts and three relief appearances. He allowed three goals on 32 shots in a 4-3 shootout victory in Buffalo last Thursday.

Hutton didn’t dress for Sunday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks due to an off-ice personal issue, so Jonas Johansson made the start. If Hutton isn’t ready, it would be Johansson again. He was on the losing end of that 4-3 shootout game against the Red Wings last week.

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Red Wings at Sabres: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Sabres 4, Red Wings 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Sabres (-223) are heavily favored over the Red Wings (+180), and you cannot roll the dice on a .500 team plummeting in the standings. AVOID the moneyline in favor of the spread. The Red Wings did win last week in Buffalo, but they have won back-to-back games on just two occasions since mid-November, and both times the Montreal Canadiens were involved in the two-game streak.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Red Wings to pull the upset returns a profit of $18, while a $10 wager on the Sabres results in a profit of $4.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The SABRES (-1.5, +125) look to avenge their loss against the Red Wings (+1.5, -150), a team with the NHL’s worst goal differential at minus-95. While Buffalo has been struggling lately, the Sabres are still a solid 15-10-4 at KeyBank Center this season. The favorite is also 25-11 in the past 36 head-to-head meetings.

If you are interested in ‘other goal bets’, you can take the first team to reach 3 goals. The SABRES (-139) are a solid play for this particular prop bet on home ice.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 5.5 (-125) is worth a look, although neither of these teams will be mistaken for an offensive juggernaut. Still, a small-unit play on the Over is a good play, as it has cashed in four of the past five overall in this series.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Buffalo Sabres at New York Rangers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Buffalo Sabres at New York Rangers sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Buffalo Sabres (23-23-8) visit the New York Rangers (26-22-4) Friday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Sabres-Rangers sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Sabres at Rangers: Projected starting goalies

Carter Hutton vs. Alexander Georgiev

Hutton is expected to get Friday’s start after Jonas Johansson was between the pipes for Thursday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Hutton is 7-9-4 on the season with a .891 save percentage and 3.30 goals against average.

Georgiev comes into Friday 12-10-1 on the season with a .909 SV% and 3.12 GAA. He has been at his worst at home with a .890 SV% and 3.35 GAA.

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Sabres at Rangers: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Rangers 3, Sabres 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Sabres (+155) wrapped up a five-game homestand at 1-3-1 with Thursday’s shootout loss to the lowly Red Wings. They come into Friday 4-5-1 across their last 10 games and with a record of 8-14-4 on the road for the season.

The RANGERS (-189) are heavy favorites, but they’re still a fine play coming off a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday. They’re 6-4-0 across their last 10 games and 15-11-2 at home on the season. The rested Georgiev has a significant advantage in the goaltending matchup.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Side with the RANGERS (-1.5, +140) to beat a tired opponent by at least two goals Friday. New York is 33-19 against the spread overall and 18-10 at home. Buffalo is 30-24 ATS overall and 16-10 on the road. The Rangers claimed a 6-2 win over the Sabres Oct. 24 at MSG in the only head-to-head meeting of the season thus far.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 5.5 (+125) as the more profitable play. The tired Sabres haven’t scored more than three goals in six straight games. The Rangers don’t have the offense to be handle to scoring load on their own.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 207-196

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Detroit Red Wings (12-38-4) head to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo to clank swords with the Buffalo Sabres (23-23-7) in Thursday night (7 p.m. ET) Atlantic Division action. We analyze the Red Wings-Sabres odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Red Wings at Sabres: Projected starting goalies

Jonathan Bernier vs. Jonas Johansson

Bernier missed seven games last month due to a leg injury, but the 31-year-old is back now and playing well. Over his last 10 games, he has registered a .940 save percentage. On the season, Bernier has posted a 2.89 goals-against average and a .908 SV in 30 games. Thursday’s road tilt would mark his third straight start, and he has stopped 58 of 61 shots over his last two.

Johansson is expected to spell Carter Hutton (the current No. 1 with the ailing Linus Ullmark (leg) on the shelf), who was pulled Tuesday after allowing five goals on 18 shots. Johansson is an AHL call-up making his first career start. He was solid in stopping 13 of 14 over the back half of Hutton’s misstep against a high-scoring Colorado team.

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Red Wings at Sabres: 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 Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Buffalo 4, Detroit 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Sabres are a heavy favorite despite some recent struggles at home. But this is a club that went 7-2, averaging over 3.5 goals per game, in a nine-game stretch at home earlier this season (Nov. 29-Jan. 4). In final games of multi-game home stands, Buffalo is 5-1 straight-up and 5-1 against the puck line. The latter is where the Sabres side finds some value in this matchup.

WILL PASS ON BUFFALO -228.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Since Jan. 10, the Red Wings have piled up nine straight losses; seven of those have been by two goals or more. Included in that stretch is a 5-1 loss to these Sabres on Jan. 12. Figure on Detroit getting an angry and hungry Buffalo team coming off its 6-1 loss to the Avs. The Sabres have yielded six goals in a game six times this season; they are 5-1 over those ensuing bounce-back efforts.

WILL BACK THE BUFFALO -1.5 (+120) as a play with some value against a Detroit team perhaps not nearly as good as its 12-38-4 record.

Over/Under (O/U)

The under is: 13-3-1 in the Sabres’ last 17 games following a loss of three or more goals. It’s also 5-2 in Buffalo’s last seven against a team with a winning percentage below .400, 3-1 in Detroit’s last four games and 5-2 in the last seven series games held in Buffalo.

There are also some expected-goal figures that would back the under here. WILL MAKE A PLAY ON THE UNDER 5.5 (+105).

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Colorado Avalanche at Buffalo Sabres odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Colorado Avalanche at Buffalo Sabres sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Colorado Avalanche (28-16-6) and Buffalo Sabres (23-22-7) tangle at KeyBank Center in Buffalo at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday. We analyze the Avalanche-Sabres sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Avalanche at Sabres: Projected starting goalies

Philipp Grubauer vs. Carter Hutton

The former Washington Capitals backstop will make the start against the Sabres looking to improve upon a 14-11-4 record, 2.90 goals against average and .908 save percentage across his 30 starts. He hasn’t faced the Sabres this season, but he posted a shutout against Buffalo on March 9 of last season.

Hutton enters Tuesday off of a rare win, as he stopped 22 of 23 shots against the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday. He improved to 7-8-4 on the season with a .897 SV% and 3.13 GAA.

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Avalanche at Sabres: 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 at 11 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Avalanche 5, Sabres 2

Moneyline (ML)

The AVALANCHE (-189) are a bit expensive on the moneyline, but they’re a good bet on the road against the flagging Sabres (+155). Colorado has posted a 14-3 record in the previous 17 meetings in this series, with the Avs going 7-2 in their past seven visits to Buffalo. The favorite is also 9-2 in the past 11 in this series.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Avalanche to win returns a profit of $5.30, while a $10 wager on the Sabres results in a profit of $15.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Back the AVALANCHE (-1.5, +140) to win by at least 2 goals on the road for a greater return on your investment. The same $10 bet here will fetch a profit of $14.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 6.5 (+125) is paying plus-money for a total of 7 goals to be scored. The Over is 4-1 in the past five meetings in this series, and 6-1-1 in the previous eight meetings in Buffalo. The Over is also 10-3 in Colorado’s past 13 as a favorite, and 4-0 in the past four in the Eastern Conference. The Over is 3-1-1 in Buffalo’s past five against opponents from the Central Division.

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