Buffalo Sabres at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and predictions
The Buffalo Sabres (7-9-1) and Chicago Blackhawks (5-10) are lined up for a Sunday evening tussle at the United Center. The opening puck drop will be at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Sabres vs. Blackhawksodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Sabres opened an unwieldly 3-game road trip (Winnipeg-Chicago-Washington) with a 3-2 loss Friday at the Winnipeg Jets. Buffalo totes a 3-game losing streak into Sunday's contest at Chicago.
The Blackhawks are playing their 3rd game in 4 days. On Thursday, they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2. On Saturday afternoon, Chicago lost by the same score to the Nashville Predators.
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Sabres at Blackhawks odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:12 a.m. ET.
Sabres at Blackhawks projected goalies
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (3-3-1, 2.92 GAA, .909 SV%) vs. Petr Mrazek (4-4-0, 2.86 GAA, .919 SV%)
Luukkonen was last between the pipes Tuesday in relief of starter Devon Levi, who allowed 5 goals in 35 minutes. Luukkonen went the rest of the way, stopping 14-of-14 pucks in 23 minutes of action. The 24-year-old owns a .943 SV% over his last 82 minutes.
Mrazek has been the better half of Chicago's goaltending tandem (G Arvid Soderblom). He's battled injuries the last couple of years, but the Blackhawks are hoping they have the same netminder who logged a 2,48 GAA and .911 SV% for the Carolina Hurricanes from 2018-21.
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Sabres at Blackhawks picks and predictions
Prediction
Sabres 5, Blackhawks 2
PASS. A Buffalo lean is worth the investment in the puck line action.
Since Oct. 19, Chicago is 3-8-0. Seven of those eight losses have been by multiple goals. Over that stretch, the Hawks have been outscored 44-27. On average, they've been outshot by 8.5 shots per game.
Mrazek has been solid, and Chicago has played a tough schedule. But a perhaps-due-for-regression-on-the-powerplay Buffalo squad is proficient at drawing penalties (the Sabres own a mere 10.2% success rate with the man advantage). Mrazek has been perhaps a bit fortunate to log a .907 SV% while killing penalties.
Buffalo has outshot its opponents in its last 2 games. Over their last 10 games, the Sabres have upped their high-danger looks in 5-on-5 play, where Chicago is particularly vulnerable.
Buffalo is a good play to get by with a cushion against a perhaps-dragging Chicago club. BET THE SABRES -1.5 (+135).
The total here is well-made. Let's not feed into 25-cent holds either. STEER CLEAR.
