The Buffalo Sabres visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night, with puck drop set for 8:00 p.m. ET at United Center. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Buffalo is a -155 favorite on the Moneyline, while the total is set at O/U 6.5 goals.
Below, I’ll break down the matchup and provide my top Blackhawks vs. Sabres prediction and best bet.
Blackhawks vs. Sabres Odds
| Market | Buffalo Sabres | Chicago Blackhawks |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -155 | +130 |
| Puck Line | -1.5 (+160) | +1.5 (-192) |
| Total | Over 6.5 (-102) | Under 6.5 (-118) |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change.
Blackhawks vs. Sabres Betting Preview
Chicago Blackhawks Outlook
All four of Chicago’s wins this season have come at home, where it is 4-5-0, and it has yet to win a road game at 0-8-1. The Blackhawks have lost four straight games and are 1-8-1 over their past 10 outings, scoring just 1.79 goals per 60 in that span, the fewest in the NHL, on 2.59 xGoals per 60 (28th). There are zero bad luck factors here, as the Blackhawks are just flat out bad.
Connor Bedard (5G, 9A) leads the team with 14 points across just 12 games, and Roman Kantserov (9G, 2A) leads the club in goals. Patrick Kane (1G, 8A) is expected to return from injury tonight after being placed on injured reserve on Sunday, which should help the power play, which ranks dead last in the NHL (9.8%). The defense hasn’t really held up its end, either, as Chicago allows 3.05 xGoals against per 60 at 5v5, the most in the NHL. Spencer Knight will likely get the start after four days off, and he’s 4-10-0 with an .881 SV% and 3.66 GAA. His -2.2 GSAx and -0.26% SV% above expected rank 54th and 45th, respectively, among 75 goaltenders.
Buffalo Sabres Outlook
Buffalo is on the second night of a back-to-back after getting embarrassed 8-3 at home against Tampa Bay last night, but the Sabres have played much better away from KeyBank Center this season. They’re 4-1-3 on the road compared to 4-6-0 at home, and only one of those eight road games was decided by more than two goals. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen started last night and was pulled after allowing five goals on just 14 shots. Colten Ellis came on in relief only to then allow three goals on just eight shots.
Tage Thompson (11G, 9A) leads the team in goals and points, Jack Quinn (9G, 8A) is right behind him, with Zach Benson (2G, 13A) leading the club in assists. Buffalo drives play well overall, with a 53.4% 5v5 Corsi% that ranks sixth, but its defense has lost a step as of late, allowing 2.79 5v5 xGoals against per 60 over its past 10 games (29th). Ellis will likely get the start with Luukkonen used last night, and he sports a 3-3-0 record with an .873 SV% and 3.39 GAA. His -0.4 GSAx and -0.12% SV% above expected rank 41st and 40th, respectively.
Blackhawks vs. Sabres Prediction and Best Bet
Buffalo has won each of the past five meetings, including a 4-3 win at home earlier this season. Bedard hadn’t made his season debut yet, but surprisingly, the Blackhawks’ offense has seemed to only get worse. They’ve scored two goals or fewer in eight of their past 10 games and in six of their nine home games. A tired Buffalo team with a shaky goaltender is a bit worrisome and Kane’s return should help Chicago’s offense a little, but I’m not paying for a Chicago attack that hasn’t generated chances in weeks. The public has 100% of the total handle on the under, and I’ll go a step further at plus money with the Blackhawks staying under three goals.
Best Bet: Blackhawks Team Total Under 2.5 (+120)
Advanced stats courtesy of MoneyPuck.
