Buffalo Sabres vs Minnesota Wild Betting Picks

Minnesota is in stop-the-pain mode, trying to halt a three-game losing skid, the latest an embarrassing 6-2 home loss to Winnipeg two days ago. The Wild have revenge for a 3-2 shootout home loss to the Sabres on Nov. 29. Since then, the Wild made a franchise-altering change, trading for star defenseman Quinn Hughes. He has 16 points in 16 games with Minnesota. The Sabres have surprised, winning 15 of their last 17 games. Buffalo has never gone 16-2 in an 18-game span. The Sabres may not be as focused as the Wild as they take to the road for five consecutive games following this matchup. Buffalo ranks 20th defensively. Minnesota is eighth defensively and has superior goaltending. The Sabres could be missing forward Josh Norris, who has a rib injury. Take the Wild.

It was Minnesota's most satisfying win of the season. The underdog Wild ended Colorado's 10-game winning streak with a thrilling, 3-2, victory in a shootout yesterday. The Avalanche closed at minus $1.87. As great as that victory was, the Wild have little time to celebrate. This is a huge letdown spot for Minnesota, which can be forgiven for overlooking Buffalo. The Sabres have the fewest points in the Eastern Conference and are on a two-game losing streak. Before that, however, Buffalo had won four of five games. The Sabres were shut out, 5-0, by New Jersey at home on Friday. That score is very misleading. Buffalo had 42 shots on goal against goalie Jake Allen. The Sabres’ offensive pressure on Allen included 17 high-danger scoring chances and 4.13 expected goals. Pekka Luukkonen is likely to start in goal for the Sabres after Alex Lyon made 18 saves against the Devils on Friday. Luukkonen is 3-2-1 in his career against the Wild with a .922 save percentage and 2.44 goals-against average. Take the Sabres.

Buffalo is back home following four road games in eight days when it won three of them while scoring a total of 10 goals in the four games. Minnesota looks to snap a two-game skid and the Wild are 6-0 their past six games against the Atlantic Division and they are tied for the second-best record in the Western Conference. Minnesota also has won nine of 10 versus Eastern Conference opponents. The Wild have won five of six after scoring two or fewer goals their previous game as they seek to bounce back from a 4-1 loss to Winnipeg on Monday. Goalie Filip Gustavsson is 9-4-3 with a 2.18 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage for Minnesota. Take the Wild.

Buffalo has won six of eight meetings after defeating the the Wild 3-2 on Nov. 10. The Sabres look to bounce back from a 4-0 loss to Florida on Thursday two days after shutting out Los Angeles 7-0. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is likely in net for the Sabres and he owns a 13-13-2 mark and a 2.51 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage with four shutouts this season. Filip Gustavsson is confirmed for Minnesota and he has a 3.19 GAA and a 15-13-2 record. Buffalo has won four of five against teams with losing records and Luukkonen stopped all 33 shots against the Kings. Eric Comrie was the goalie against the Panthers. Play the Sabres.