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.
Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.
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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