Red Wings vs. Sabres: Preview, odds, and score prediction
The buzz in Detroit and across Michigan isn’t all about the Lions. The Red Wings have converted most of the naysayers with a hot start that can’t be classified as a “start” any longer. It’s never been a better time to explore all the NHL betting action on Michigan’s top sportsbooks.
The Wings have played more than one-quarter of the season, and currently hold the fourth best record in the Eastern Conference. The Wings are the fourth-highest scoring team in the NHL, and rank seventh in goal differential.
Of recent, the Red Wings have won five of six, averaging 4.6 goals in their last five wins. It’s offensive firepower that’s spurring this young team on: only two teams in the NHL have more wins of 3+ goals than Detroit’s eight.
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The Red Wings shared their pride for Detroit legends when they posted on X to congratulate former Tigers manager Jim Leyland on his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame:
The Sabres are 5-13 as the underdog this season, which is one of the reasons they languish near the bottom of the standings. Buffalo is suffering from inconsistent goaltending, led by an uncharacteristic slow start by primary goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
But observers could defend Luukkonen by pointing out that the Buffalo defense has allowed more shots on goal with him in net than all but four goalies who have started at least eight games this season.
The Sabres are not being beaten because their goalies are dreadful, it’s because the defense is sloppy. Which means the Red Wings, led by Alex DeBrincat, and linemates Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond.
Those three likely All-Stars have scored 33% of Detroit’s goals. Add the return of right winger Patrick Kane, and the Red Wings could be poised to score even more in coming weeks.
In his last four games, Dylan Larkin has had at least four shots on goal. Detroit is channeling their scoring attack through their captain: the Larkin/Veleno/Raymond line has had 69 shots on goal the last 10 games, and Larkin has 33 of them.
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The Sabres are averaging 2.7 goals the last 10 games, when they are 3-7. Meanwhile, Detroit’s speedy offense has scored 3.8 goals per game in their last 16 contests.
The Wings aren’t exactly burying opposing goalies under a barrage of shots: they rank 20th in the NHL in shots on goal. It’s accuracy that works for the Red Wings, who rank second in the league in shooting percentage at 12.4%.
So far in 23 games, the goals have gone over 6.5 ten times in Detroit’s games. We don’t expect Buffalo to push this score high, so if you’d like a second best bet pick, go with the UNDER on the puckline of 6.5. Odds were +100 at press time.
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