The Buffalo Sabres (19-19-7) take on the Detroit Red Wings (12-30-3) in an Atlantic Division contest at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit Sunday at 5 p.m. ET. We analyze the Sabres-Red Wings odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Sabres at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies
Linus Ullmark vs. Jonathan Bernier
Ullmark has logged a 2.87 goals against average and .910 save percentage this season. He recorded a 41-save shutout at Detroit Oct. 25, and last season registered a .927 SV% in four games against the Red Wings. Ullmark has a history of performing well on the road.
Bernier (2.99 GAA, .904 SV%) has fared well of late (.937 SV% over his last six games) and is the lean to start Sunday’s home game against Buffalo. He’s backing a defense that has yielded fewer shots of late.
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Sabres at Red Wings: 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
Buffalo 5, Detroit 3
Moneyline (ML)
AVOID. The Sabres (-139) are 3-13 over their last 16 games as road favorites and 3-13 in their last 16 contests after losing a game by three goals. The Red Wings (+115) are 4-9 over their last 13 home games.
The lean is the more talented Buffalo club, but there are all kinds of cross signals in this one. Both teams show some upside on offense and defense, but the Sabres have struggled mightily on the road of late. Buffalo played at home Saturday and coughed up six goals (after yielding five Thursday).
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The Wings (+1.5, -238) are 9-14 against the puck line when playing at home. Again, the Sabres (-1.5, +195) are a lean, but no-go on a play.
Over/Under (O/U)
The strongest play on the board is this one. The Sabres have created more scoring chances over recent games. That hasn’t added up to the goals we’d expect (especially on the road), but Buffalo’s penalty killing of late has been suspect. The OVER 5.5 (-129) has some value.
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