The Buffalo Sabres (10-6-3) make a trip to the United Center to take on the surging Chicago Blackhawks (8-7-4) in a Sunday evening (7 p.m. ET) inter-conference battle. We analyze the Sabres-Blackhawks odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Sabres at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies
Carter Hutton vs. Corey Crawford
Hutton’s story is that of the 2019-20 Sabres and vice-versa: started out hot and has scuffled since. The 34-year-old enters this start after stopping just 59 of 69 shots (.855 SV) over his last two games. Hutton logged a similar line (.881 save percentage) in 105 minutes against Chicago last season.
Crawford has become the 60-40 understudy to newcomer Robin Lehner. His best multi-game stretch, however, is the one he’s been on since Nov. 7. Since that date, the veteran netminder has registered a fine .937 mark in three games.
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Sabres at Blackhawks: 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 9:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Chicago 4, Buffalo 3
Moneyline (ML)
Both teams are closing out home-road back-to-backs – Buffalo snapped a six-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators Saturday. The Blackhawks clobbered the Predators 7-2 to earn their third straight high-scoring victory. Chicago has scored 17 goals over its last three contests. Buffalo native Patrick Kane has driven the Chicago surge. The right winger has tallied six goals and six assists over the team’s last five games.
The ‘Hawks have won three in a row at the United Center after struggling in early-season home games. They are 3-0 in the back half of playing two games in as many days. Chicago continues to allow too many shots on goal, but of late the Blackhawks have done better in preventing quality looks from the slot. CHICAGO -139 is a solid play, one with some value even when regressing recent-game performances on both sides.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Pass on the puck line (-1.5, +170). Four of Buffalo’s last five losses have been by one goal.
Over/under (O/U)
A high-priced Over (5.5, -150) makes for a PASS here. The number calls for an Over play but adding in some regression and a longer-view look of these two teams, a price in the -135 to -141 range would add value to the play.
The combined Under for the Sabres and ‘Hawks is 18-19-1.
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