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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