Buffalo Sabres at Winnipeg Jets odds, picks and predictions
The Buffalo Sabres (7-8-1) visit the Winnipeg Jets (8-5-2) on Friday. Puck drop from Canada Life Centre is set for 8 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Sabres vs. Jets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Sabres lost 5-2 on Tuesday to the Boston Bruins (-150 road favorites). Buffalo trailed 2-0 in the 1st 4 minutes of the game and were down 5-0 by the midway point of the 2nd period. LW Victor Olofsson scored both goals for Buffalo.
Winnipeg beat the New Jersey Devils 6-3 on Tuesday to cover as a -145 home favorite. LW Kyle Connor scored 2 goals and added an assist to lead the Jets. His 13 goals this season ties him for the NHL lead. LW Nikolaj Ehlers also added 2 goals in the victory.
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Sabres at Jets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:36 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Sabres +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Jets -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Sabres +1.5 (-160) | Jets -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Sabres at Jets projected goalies
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (3-3-1, 2.92 GAA, .909 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Connor Hellebuyck (7-4-1, 2.99 GAA, .894 SV%)
After starting the season hot, Luukkonen has dropped his last 3 starts by a total of 12-3. He was most recently seen in Tuesday's loss to the Bruins when he came in during the 2nd period and saved all 14 shots attempted. His 90.9 save percentage ranks 22nd overall.
Hellebuyck has had a solid year thus far and appears to be getting stronger with 3 of his 7 overall wins coming in his last 4 starts. In that span, he has only let up 11 goals while the Jets have scored 18 goals. His 2.99 goals allowed per game ranks 26th overall while his 7-4-1 record puts him 7th overall.
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Sabres at Jets picks and predictions
Prediction
Jets 5, Sabres 3
Moneyline
PASS.
At -175 and playing at home, there is no profit to be made betting on the Jets' moneyline.
Puck line/Against the spread
LEAN JETS -1.5 (+135).
The Sabres are on a 2-game skid and have been outscored 9-2 in those games including a 4-0 loss on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Jets have won 4 of their last 5 games and have outscored opponents 24-14 in that span. With Connor leading the way and looking to extend his point streak to 5 games, the Jets will overwhelm the Sabres, who average less than 3 goals per game.
Over/Under
BET OVER 6.5 (-115).
Buffalo hasn't been scoring a lot of goals lately and its defense has allowed at least 3 goals in 4 of its last 5 games while allowing at least 4 goals in 3 of its last 5 games.
Winnipeg has eclipsed 6.5 goals in 5 of its last 6 games and has scored at least 5 goals in 4 of its last 5 games. On its 3-game homestead thus far, the Over 6.5 has hit in 2 of the 3 games with Winnipeg outscoring opponents 14-9.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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