Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres odds, picks and predictions
The Detroit Red Wings (13-7-3) visit the Buffalo Sabres (10-13-2) for a Tuesday night Atlantic Division tussle in Western New York. The opening puck drop at the KeyBank Center is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Red Wings vs. Sabresodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Detroit heads into this game off a 5-4 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens Saturday. The NHL's 3rd-leading scoring team (3.74 goals per game) is 5-1-0 across its last 6 contests. The Red Wings have scored 4-plus goals 7 times in their last 9 games.
The Sabres are at home for a 2nd straight game, They lost a KeyBank contest to the Nashville Predators 2-1 Sunday. Buffalo is looking to snap a 3-game losing skid in what marks its 3rd game in 4 days.
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Red Wings at Sabres odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:58 a.m. ET.
Red Wings at Sabres projected goalies
Alex Lyon (3-1-0, 1.26 GAA, .958 SV%) vs. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (6-5-1, 2.81 GAA, .907 SV%)
Lyon was on the Detroit roster, but did not play until Nov. 17. He's coming off stopping 34 of 35 shots against Chicago Saturday and owns a .978 SV% over his last 3 games.
Luukkonen was the netminder of record in Sunday's 2-1 setback (27 saves), but sans the turn before (6 GA on Nov. 30) he has played quite well since mid-November. The 6-foot-5 Finn has clocked a .914 SV% over his last 7 appearances.
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Red Wings at Sabres picks and predictions
Prediction
Red Wings 3, Sabres 2
Detroit does not have the recent puck-possession figures to match the surge the team has seen in the standings. And overall, the Wings are off their expected-goal numbers by a good bit. Even with Lyon having a hot hand, Detroit is a solid fade candidate.
So, it comes down to pricing. FanDuel Sportsbook pegs the Sabres at +106. Should that get to +110, Buffalo is the play. Otherwise, PASS.
No interest in the PL action here. PASS.
The Under is 14-9-2 in Buffalo's 25 games. At the KeyBank Center, the Under has gone 9-2.
The Sabres defense has been much stronger on home ice (2.82 GPG compared to 3.40 overall). A due-for-regression Wings club has filed just 2.50 GPG when playing on 2 days' rest.
