The Detroit Red Wings (5-1-0) and Buffalo Sabres (2-4-0) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Sabres are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6 (-115o / -105u). Both the Sabres and Red Wings on the moneyline are even at -110.
Let's get into my Red Wings vs. Sabres predictions and NHL picks.
Red Wings vs. Sabres Odds, Pick
| Red Wings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -270 | 6 -115o / -105u | -110 |
| Sabres Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +220 | 6 -115o / -105u | -110 |
- Red Wings vs. Sabres Spread: Red Wings +1.5 (-270), Sabres -1.5 (+220)
- Red Wings vs. Sabres Over/Under: 6 (-115o / -105u)
- Red Wings vs. Sabres Moneyline: Red Wings -110, Sabres -110
Red Wings vs. Sabres Preview
Detroit Red Wings
Maybe I should’ve expected the Red Wings to start the season with one of the best records in the Eastern Conference.
We’ve seen this song and dance before. Detroit starts hot, currently on a five-game win streak, then it goes on an insane period of losing.
Perhaps that luck changes, though, since the Red Wings have been playing decently on the defensive end with a 2.48 xGA/60, and some exceptional goaltending from Cam Talbot.
Talbot’s going to come back down to Earth. Like his team in years past, he always starts as one of the best netminders in the league, and then teeters toward the league average by December.
And I fully expect John Gibson to take the reins and make this team his own eventually. He spent enough time wallowing in Anaheim after multiple trade requests – now he finally has a change of scenery.
Detroit’s been playing 5-on-5 offense to a middling 49.24 xGF% and its power play is ranking toward the middle, scoring 22% and captain Dylan Larkin has been a big part of that.
I always knew Larkin was good – he’s fresh off his fourth consecutive season netting 30 or more goals, but he’s on an impressive run to start the season with 11 points in the first six games.
Buffalo Sabres
The big question is… what happens with Buffalo?
I’m personally tired of expecting different results from a team that has given me the same since 2010. The Sabres are like the New York Jets of the NHL – don’t expect anything until something truly happens.
Right now, they’re playing at a decent pace at 5-on-5 with a 50.27 xGF%, but defensively, they’re still the bottom-10 team we all know and love.
I’ve been waiting for the Zach Benson breakout ever since he came onto the league and I’m beyond thrilled to see him thriving.
Benson may be small, but he has some of the nicest hands and vision in the league, which adds up why all of his team-leading points are from assists (and all in three games played).
Alex Lyon has done an admirable job in net in place of typical starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, but the underlying issue is that the Sabres are banking on Lyon to be their knight in shining armor.
Lyon is probably one of the better backups in the NHL, who consistently gets put into starting roles (ironically the past two seasons with Detroit), and those starting numbers lower his value.
When he plays at a starter's pace, his production drops, and it’s concerning that he’s played every game.
Red Wings vs. Sabres Prediction
We have two teams that have been in the proverbial basement of the league for years, so naturally, the moneyline split is even.
Detroit may be in for a come-down-to-Earth moment soon, because the inevitable Red Wings dropoff should be coming soon.
I don’t trust Talbot, and I don’t know what to think of Lyon. But I think Lyon has an incentive to play his tail off against his former team.
I don’t think Lyon’s drop-off is coming yet. He has a few games left in the tank before it truly starts.
I’m going to ride with the Sabres here.
Pick: Buffalo Sabres ML
