The Buffalo Sabres (37-32-7) wrap up a 3-game road trip Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings (34-33-9). Puck drop from Little Caesars Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Sabres vs. Red Wings odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Sabres suffered a costly 2-1 loss on the road against the Florida Panthers Tuesday. Buffalo is still not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs but is 6 points out of the final Eastern Conference Wild Card spot with just 6 games remaining.
The Red Wings are making a late push for the playoffs but remain 8 points out of the final East Wild Card with 5 games left in the regular season. Detroit has won 4 of the past 5 games, including a 5-0 win on the road against the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday.
Sabres at Red Wings odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:26 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Sabres -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Red Wings -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Sabres -1.5 (+200) | Red Wings +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -140 | U: +115)
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Sabres at Red Wings projected goalies
Devon Levi (1-1-0, 1.98 GAA, .942 SV%) vs. Ville Husso (26-19-6, 2.96 GAA, .901 SV%, 4 SO)
Levi made his 2nd pro start Tuesday in Florida, allowing 2 goals on 36 shots in a hard-luck loss. He also allowed 2 goals (on 33 shots) in a win against the New York Rangers in his pro debut Friday.
Husso turned aside all 24 of the shots he faced in Montreal Tuesday after allowing 10 goals in his previous 2 starts. He is 16-13-0 with a 2.92 GAA and .900 SV% with 3 SO in 32 games at Little Caesars Arena this season.
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Sabres at Red Wings picks and predictions
Prediction
Sabres 3, Red Wings 2
Moneyline
The SABRES (-115) are solid road favorites in this crucial battle to stay alive in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.
The Red Wings have played well lately but they did drop each of the first 3 regular-season meetings against Buffalo, including a 5-4 shootout loss in the only other battle at LCA on Nov. 30.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Red Wings +1.5 (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return, which is way too much if you require a little bit of insurance.
Buffalo needed a shootout to decide one of the 3 meetings this season, but the other two meetings were 5- and 3-goal margins.
AVOID.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (+115) is a strong play, especially at plus money.
The Under has cashed in 7 of the past 10 meetings between these teams in Detroit and is 3-1-1 in the past 5 games overall for Buffalo. The Under is also 16-7 in the past 23 games for the Red Wings against Eastern Conference teams.
Expect goals to be at a premium in this intense game to stay alive in the playoff chase.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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