B/R: Bills save money, upgrade OL with suggested trade

B/R: #Bills save money, upgrade OL with suggested trade:

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The Bills have an important offseason at hand.

The team is close to being a Super Bowl-caliber squad and making the right additions and personnel moves could help move them close towards championship contention.

While free agency and the draft will be where most roster additions will take place this offseason, trades have the ability to add impactful talent. The Los Angeles Rams used the trade market to add star players who helped them win a Super Bowl.

The Bills themselves have been one of the beneficiaries of a blockbuster trade in recent years, adding pro bowler and number one receiver Stefon Diggs to the team thanks to a trade with the Minnesota Vikings.

Even Buffalo GM Brandon Beane’s infamous asset trades landed the team the NFL Draft pick position at which they used to select franchise quarterback Josh Allen.

As the offseason has begun, so has the process of looking at how the Bills might add talent that can help them win a Super Bowl. Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine offered his take on a trade that could help Buffalo, in “The Ideal Offseason Trade Scenario for Every NFL Team” list he presented.

Here is a look at who he zeroed in on as a trade prospect.

Buffalo Bills Trade for C Erik McCoy

The Buffalo Bills could save themselves money and upgrade a key position on the offensive line with two moves that make a lot of sense.

The first is to cut Mitch Morse. The center is set to be the fourth-highest-paid at his position in 2022, but the majority of his cap hit ($8.5 million) would become cap savings if they release him.

The second would be to call up the New Orleans Saints and work out a trade to bring in Erik McCoy.

The Saints face an uphill climb in creating cap space now and in the future. They are currently slated to be more than $75 million over the cap. McCoy doesn’t make a ton of money. He’s only owed $3.4 million in the final year of his rookie deal, but the Saints would save nearly $3 million by trading him.

That might not seem like much, but it also takes off the pressure to sign him to a long-term deal. The Bills, meanwhile, would get a reasonable replacement for Morse at a much cheaper price. McCoy has only allowed two sacks over his first three seasons in the league, per PFF.

Ballentine makes solid points on all fronts as far as why McCoy would be a fit for Buffalo in a trade as well as why it would make sense for New Orleans on their end.

Beane spoke recently about trades while providing some of the thinking that can go into weighing such a decision.

Similarly, there is the matter of cap space, which is something Buffalo could use for more offseason moves.

Ballentine’s suggestion does sound like it makes sense economically and talent-wise. There are also Beane’s recent quotes to consider, in which he was quick to point to the trenches as an area he will look to improve while prioritizing protecting Allen.

Suffice to say the GM will find a way to do just that, and time will tell if we’ll see some of the O-line being fortified through trade as suggested.

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Sabres GM Kevyn Adams to ‘pick brain’ of Bills GM Brandon Beane

#Sabres 🤝 #Bills

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The Buffalo Bills were one of the healthiest teams in the NFL this season, and one of their local neighbors has taken notice.

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams, whose building a young roster that has experienced its fair share of injuries over the last two seasons, spoke with WGR 550 this past week about reaching out to Bills GM Brandon Beane for advice.

“I’m going to call Brandon. It’s on my to-do list to pick his brain. It is interesting to me they had the least amount [of injuries], so I just want to ask some questions.”

The Sabres have had the second-worst ranking in the NHL this season in injuries. The Bills, meanwhile, were one of the top healthy NFL clubs.

Adams and his staff are researching the types of injuries incurred, what caused them, how they could have been prevented, ice quality, whether there was any deep tissue or broken bones, and if they were avoidable or fluke accidents.

As he evaluates practice frequency and player workloads, as well as in evaluating potential player signings and their health and durability throughout the season, he plans to enlist Beane’s council.

“Brandon and I have become good friends. We talk a lot. We bounce ideas off each other, and I think for me, it’s an incredible resource to have someone that’s had so much success in a lot of different ways in the things that he’s done and just pick his brain. So I’m definitely going to have that conversation.”

The Sabres have worked to restructure their front office and team in a similar process to the one that the Bills found themselves in when Beane and head coach Sean McDermott took over. At that time the club was coming off a couple of injury-riddled seasons themselves.

Owners Terry and Kim Pegula responded, spending $18 million to build a 41,000 square-foot performance and training center that opened in the spring of 2019. After the new facility opened, injury numbers went down significantly and there was a dramatic improvement in overall roster health.

The Sabres are in second to last place in the NHL’s Atlantic Division and appear to be headed towards another favorable Draft position. With a foundation of bright young talent, it makes sense that Adams would want to gain any insight he can to protect the franchise’s long-term investment in the roster they are building.

Considering the success Beane has had, it will be interesting to see if he is able to lend some of his insights towards the Sabres rebuild.

Beane offered some advice to Adams on a phone call ahead of the 2020 NHL Draft that might be telling as to the context of their upcoming conversation. “Trust your process.”

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Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Buffalo Sabres (29-30-8) try to cool off the red-hot Philadelphia Flyers (40-20-7) at Wells Fargo Center Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Sabres-Flyers sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Sabres at Flyers: Projected starting goalies

Carter Hutton vs. Carter Hart

Hutton is confirmed to start Saturday’s game. He has posted a 12-13-4 record, 3.18 goals against average and .898 save percentage with two shutouts to date. He was drummed in his only meeting against the Fly Guys, allowing six goals on 29 shots in a 6-1 loss in Philadelphia Dec. 19.

Hart is expected to be tabbed for this start, as he has been red-hot lately. He enters play 23-12-3 with a 2.47 GAA and .911 SV% in his 38 starts and 41 appearances overall this season. He won that Dec. 19 game against the Sabres, turning aside 16 of his 17 shots for the easy win. Since the All-Star break he has managed a solid 8-1-0 record, 2.01 GAA and .928 SV%.


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Sabres at Flyers: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:00 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Flyers 5, Hurricanes 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Flyers (-250) are absolutely on fire lately, rattling off 17 victories across their past 22 outings, while going 20-7 in the past 27 in Philly. They’re also 7-0 in the past seven following a win, while going 26-9 in the past 35 as a home favorite. While the Sabres (+200) are 3-13 in the past 16 in Philly, and 8-20 in the past 28 meetings overall, you cannot risk two-and-a-half times your potential return. Look to the puck line instead. AVOID.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The FLYERS (-1.5, +110) are a much better bet on the puck line, as no one has been able to cool them off lately. Toss in the fact that Hutton coughed up six times in his one and only matchup with Philly, and the home side looks like a great play.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 5.5 (-139) is a solid play in this one, and the Flyers could potentially take care of it all by themselves. The over is 4-0-1 in Buffalo’s past five inside the Eastern Conference, and 4-1-2 in the past seven against winning teams. The over is 9-1-1 in Philly’s past 11 overall, and 3-1-1 in the past five at home.

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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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.

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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Washington Capitals at New York Rangers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Washington Capitals at New York Rangers sports betting odds, picks and best bets

The Washington Capitals (40-20-6) take on the New York Rangers (35-27-4) at Madison Square Garden on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Capitals-Rangers sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Capitals at Rangers: Projected starting goalies

Ilya Samsonov vs. Henrik Lundqvist

The rookie Samsonov is confirmed to start at Madison Square Garden, putting his 16-6-1 records, 2.40 goals against average and .917 save percentage on the line. This will be his first career matchup against the Blueshirts.

King Henrik is projected to make the start after Alexandar Georgiev made the start last time out. Lundqvist is 10-12-3 with a 3.19 GAA and .904 SV% across his 26 starts and 29 appearances. He is 1-1-0 with a 2.54 GAA And .922 SV% in his two assignments against the Caps this season.


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Capitals at Rangers: Odds, picks and betting tips

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

Prediction

Capitals 3, Rangers 2

Moneyline (ML)

The CAPITALS (-143) are a solid play on the road against the Rangers (+120), even though they just played yesterday. Plus, the Caps are 6-2 in their past eight games in the second end of a back-to-back situation. The Rangers have been hot, going 9-4 in the past 13, but they’re also 7-19 in the past 26 against teams with a winning percentage over .600.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Caps to grab the road win returns a profit of $7.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The puck line isn’t a great play, even though the Capitals (-1.5, +170) are awfully tempting at this price. If you were to play a small-unit bet, the Caps are definitely the way to go as opposed to the Rangers (+1.5, -209). The best play is to AVOID.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 6.5 (-154) is a slam-dunk play even though the Caps games have been going Over the projected total recently. The Over is 4-1 in Washington’s past five, although the Under is 5-1 in their past six on the road. The Under is also 5-1 in the past six at MSG for the Rangers. The Under is also 5-1-1 in the past seven meetings in New York.

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 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.

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 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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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 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).

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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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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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.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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