The Buffalo Sabres and the Winnipeg Jets square off at Canada Life Centre on Thursday night for the second and final meeting between the teams this season.
The Jets went into Buffalo and doubled up the Sabres 4-2 on Jan. 12, as Connor Hellebuyck stopped 39 of the 41 shots he faced. It was a good game, tied 2-2 early in the third, but Kyle Connor had the difference maker at 7:19 of the third period, and Karson Kuhlman added the empty-net goal to put a bow on the scoring.
It’s been feast or famine for Winnipeg lately, as it has five goals in a pair of games in the past week, but it also has three games with just one goal scored in each outing. The Sabres roll in on a four-game win streak, averaging 4.3 goals per game (GPG).
Can Buffalo avenge an earlier loss to Winnipeg, shooting down the Jets, or will the home side be sharper than the Sabres? We’ll discuss in our NHL betting picks for Sabres vs. Jets on Thursday, January 26.
Sabres vs Jets best odds
Sabres vs Jets picks and predictions
The Sabres have won four in a row overall, and that includes a pair of victories in the first two games of the road trip against the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues. Both of those wins have come as an underdog, too.
Buffalo is looking to tie a season best with three or more goals in six straight outings. It also accomplished the feat Dec. 13 to Dec. 31, which culminated in a six-game win streak.
The Sabres have picked up points in five in a row, going 4-0-1 during the span, including three consecutive victories against Western Conference teams.
The Jets’ offense has been rather Jekyll-and-Hyde lately, putting up 13 goals in the past five outings. However, they lost 2-1 on the road against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. Winnipeg had five goals in each of the previous two games, and then just one goal in the prior two outings. That’s the definition of inconsistency.
The Sabres are projected to start Craig Anderson (8-6-2, 2.73 GAA, .918 SV%, 1 SO), as he continues to have a career revival in western New York. It was Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in net for the loss against the Jets in mid-January, so Anderson gets his chance to shine.
The Jets are expected to use Connor Hellebuyck (23-13-1, 2.38 GAA, .925 SV%, 3 SO). He has lost three of his past four starts, with the offense producing just one goal in three of those outings.
The Sabres are playing much more consistent hockey lately, and they should be able to ease by the Jets as slight favorites on the road.
My best bet: Sabres moneyline (+160 at PointsBet)
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Sabres vs Jets moneyline analysis
The Sabres have cashed on the puck line in each of the past three games, winning the last two contests outright as an underdog, while topping the Anaheim Ducks at home on Jan. 21 by a 6-3 score to cover.
Buffalo is 3-1 in the previous four games catching a goal and a half on the puckline. And in the past 12 games overall as an underdog, the Sabres are an impressive 9-3. There are so many reasons to like Buffalo on the road, but that loss at home to Winnipeg just two weeks ago is a concern.
Still, the Jets offense has been all over the board, and you never know which team is going to show up lately.
The Jets have failed to cover in two of the past four outings as favorites. And if you were thinking about taking Winnipeg on the puck line, it is just 3-4 in the past seven games when laying a goal and a half.
The road team has connected in six of the past eight meetings in this series, including Winnipeg’s win in Buffalo on Jan. 12.
Back the Sabres as moderate underdogs, and look for a lower-scoring game in Manitoba.
Sabres vs Jets Over/Under analysis
The Under is 6-0-1 in the past seven meetings overall in this series, including their first meeting of the season in western New York two weeks ago. The Under has cashed at a 3-1-1 clip in the past five battles in Winnipeg.
The Sabres haven’t played since Tuesday, and the Under is 5-2 in the past seven games when playing on a day of rest. In addition, the Under is 4-0 in the past four when Buffalo’s opponent scores two or fewer goals in their previous game.
For the Jets, it's all about the Under lately. The Under is 37-15-3 in the past 55 games overall for Winnipeg, while cashing at a 21-8-2 clip in their last 31 home games. The Under is 17-6-3 in the past 26 games against teams with a winning overall record, too.
And if you needed more evidence to feel good about going low in this game, the Under is 4-0 in the past four games for the Sabres, while cashing at a 12-2 clip in the past 14 when working on a day of rest. The Under is also 4-0 in the Jets' past four games against Atlantic Division foes, including the earlier game against the Sabres.
Go low, and couple with the Sabres on the moneyline for a lucrative parlay opportunity.
Sabres vs Jets betting trend to know
The road team is 6-2 in the previous eight meetings between these teams. Find more NHL betting trends for Sabres vs Jets.
Sabres vs Jets game info
| Location: | Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB |
| Date: | Thursday, January 26, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MSG-BUF, Sportsnet |
