Buffalo Sabres vs Winnipeg Jets Betting Picks

Buffalo is on a 6-4 run, including cashing as underdogs of +145, +135, +160, and +122. The defense is second in the NHL in penalty killing and 16th in goals allowed. Meanwhile, Winnipeg is 19th in goals scored with a slumping power play (a 2-for-18 rut). The Jets are on a 4-10 slide and are in a difficult situational spot, coming home from a five-game road trip. Play Buffalo. 

Winnipeg goes for its second win in a row after ending a four-game slide with a 5-2 victory over Nashville on Saturday. Nino Niederreiter scored twice, and Eric Comrie stopped 20 of 22 shots for the Jets, who have won their past five Monday games. The Jets are 9-2 their past 11 against the Atlantic Division, and Buffalo is 1-6 its past seven after allowing two or fewer goals in its previous game. The Sabres have split their past 10 games after winning a 3-2 shootout at Minnesota two nights ago. They have lost six of seven home games to Winnipeg, and the Sabres have lost eight of 12 against Western Conference opponents. Comrie is probable tonight with a 2.91 goals-against average. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (3-3-1) is likely for Buffalo. Take the Jets.

Winnipeg has won four of the past five meetings and the Jets will look to snap a four-game skid as they face their first rough spot of the season after winning 15 of their first 16 games this season. They still have one of the best goaltenders in the league in Connor Hellebuyck, who is 15-5-0 with a 2.27 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage with three shutouts. His counterpart tonight likely is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is 8-6-2. Buffalo also has lost four straight, including two shutout defeats and they are 0-4 their past four home games versus teams with winning road records. The Sabres have averaged 2.1 goals their past eight games. Take the Jets.

Winnipeg has won eight of 10 after a 5-3 victory at Carolina yesterday as a +135 dog. They're in second place in the Central Division, just two points behind Dallas. Winnipeg has a +40 goal differential, the best in the division and the second-best in the Western Conference. The defense is second in the NHL in goals given up (2.39 per game) and No. 1 in save percentage (.924). The Jets are 14-4 when playing the second of a back-to-back, plus 20-6 after having won two of three. Buffalo also played yesterday, knocking off Vegas, 7-2. The Sabres are 17th in save percentage (.901), 2-11 off a home victory, 7-21 off a win or tie, plus 54-85 at home in the second of a back-to-back. Play Winnipeg.