Buffalo Sabres vs Winnipeg Jets Odds Picks and Prediction

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17 November 2023

Buffalo Sabres vs Winnipeg Jets Odds Picks and Prediction

The Winnipeg Jets (8-5-2), third in the NHL standings for the Central Division, look for their second consecutive win on Friday night at Canada Life Center as they host the Buffalo Sabres (7-8-1), seventh in the Atlantic Division and losers of two in a row. It’s one of just three NHL matchups on the NHL schedule today.

Sabres vs Jets Picks

Moneyline: Winnipeg Jets -175
Over/Under: Under 6.5 (-112)

Devon Levi (3.65 GAA, .881 save percentage) is the projected starting goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres roster. Connor Hellebuyck (2.99 GAA, .894 save percentage) is expected to start in goal for the Jets. Let’s take a closer look at the Sabres vs Jets odds and predictions for Friday’s game.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Winnipeg Jets Odds

Winnipeg is the betting favorite in NHL picks with moneyline and puck line odds of -175 and -1.5 (+135), respectively. The Sabres are betting underdogs with NHL odds of +145 and +1.5 (-163) on the moneyline and puck line. The over/under for the Sabres vs. Jets odds is 6.5.

Sabres vs. Jets Information

Buffalo Sabres vs Winnipeg Jets

Location of the game: Canada Life Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Date & Time: Friday, November 17. 8:00 p.m. ET.

How to Watch: ESPN+ | TSN3 (Canada)

Buffalo Sabres vs. Winnipeg Jets Betting Preview

Sabres Haven’t Taken the Next Step This Season

It’s no surprise Buffalo is an underdog in the Sabres vs. Jets odds as they’ve been subpar this season. They narrowly missed the playoffs last season and were expected to take the next step and be competitive out of the gate this year, but that hasn’t happened. Despite the Buffalo Sabres roster being deeper than it has in many years, especially on defense, the team is 23rd in NHL stats for goals (2.88), 26th in shots (28.9), T16th in goals allowed (3.25), and 18th in shots allowed (30.9).

Tage Thompson, in particular, hasn’t met expectations. He’s third on the team in NHL player stats with 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) in 16 games, which is well off pace of the career-high 94 points he had last season. He’s expected to be out of the lineup Friday as he is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Zach Benson, Jack Quinn, Jordan Greenway, and Henri Jokiharju are also expected to be out for the Sabres.

Jets’ Offense Among the Best in the League

While many Canadian teams have experienced hardships early in the season, the Jets have been relatively unscathed, playing above expectations and proving themselves as a potential playoff team. In the past, the Winnipeg Jets have won with defense and goaltending, with former Vezina winner Hellebuyck in net, but that hasn’t been the case this season. They rank T18th in goals allowed (3.27), but are T4th in goals scored (3.67).

Kyle Connor leads the Jets in scoring with 20 points (13 goals, 7 assists). Mark Scheifele is second with 18 points (5 goals, 13 assists) and Josh Morrissey leads the team’s defense with 14 points (1 goal, 13 assists). Alex Iafallo, acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade, has seven points in his last four games.

Gabriel Vilardi and Rasmus Kupari, both of whom were also acquired in the Dubois trade, are on the Winnipeg Jets injury report, as is defenseman Ville Heinola.

Buffalo Sabres vs Winnipeg Jets Betting Picks

After looking at the scores and odds, Buffalo is 9-7 against the spread (ATS), including 6-1 on the road. The Jets, meanwhile, are 10-5 ATS, including 4-3 at home. The home team has won the last four games in the Buffalo vs Winnipeg history dating back to December 2021. Let’s ride with the home team on Friday, especially considering the Sabres absences.