| MATCHUP | Vancouver Canucks | Buffalo Sabres |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 16-21-5 | 22-15-4 |
| Where | KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY | |
| When | Tuesday, January 6, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
In this article we will formulate a Canucks vs Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, January 6th at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Vancouver Canucks Betting Preview
The Vancouver Canucks are 16-20-5 this season after they lost to Boston in overtime by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Vancouver tied the game at one early in the second period and at two late in the second, but allowed a pretty soft goal in overtime for the loss. The Canucks out shot Boston by a total of 33-21, won 32.8% of the face-offs, and went 1-6 on the power play in the game. Vancouver got goals from Pettersson and Hronek, while Lankinen stopped 18 out of 21 shots, which was an .857 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Vancouver lost to the Kraken by a score of 4-3 and the Flyers by a score of 6-3. The Canucks have lost five of their last six games and they are currently last in the Pacific standings with 37 points. Vancouver has scored 2.76 goals per game and they have allowed 3.46 goals against per game, while also going 20.3% on the power play and 73.9% on the penalty kill this season. Elias Pettersson has led Vancouver with 10 goals and 15 assists, while Filip Hronek has added three goals and 22 assists. The projected starting goalie for Vancouver is Thatcher Demko, who is 8-8-1 with a 2.72 goals against average and a .906 save percentage this season.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 21-15-4 this year after they lost to Columbus by a score of 5-1 in their last game. Buffalo tied the game at one in the first period, but they allowed the last four goals for the loss. The Sabres were out shot by a total of 35-33, won 52.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-5 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got their lone goal from Doan, while UPL stopped 30 out of 34 shots, which was an .882 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Buffalo defeated the Stars by a score of 4-1 and the Blues by a score of 4-2. The Sabres have won 10 of their last 11 games and they are currently fifth in the Atlantic standings with 46 points. Buffalo has scored 3.05 goals per game and they have allowed 3.15 goals against per game, while also going 18.0% on the power play and 85.2% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 20 goals and 17 assists, while Alex Tuch has added 12 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is 7-6-1 with a 2.58 goals against average and a .901 save percentage this year.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won 10 of their last 11 games.
- The Canucks have lost eight of their last nine games after coming off overtime.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last five night games.
- The Canucks have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 11 night games after coming off overtime.
- The Sabres have won the third period in each of their last four home games against Western Conference opponents when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last five games against opponents on a losing streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Six of the Canucks’ last seven road games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Canucks’ last five night games at KeyBank Center.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 14 of the Sabres’ last 15 games against Pacific Division opponents.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Tage Thompson has scored at least one goal in eight of the Sabres’ last nine games against Pacific Division opponents.
- Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six appearances in night games at KeyBank Center.
Vancouver Canucks Player Prop Facts
- Jake DeBrusk has scored at least one goal in seven of the Canucks’ last nine road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Conor Garland has recorded an assist in four of his last five appearances at KeyBank Center.
Canucks vs Sabres Prediction
Buffalo comes into this matchup trying to bounce back from their long winning streak getting snapped, but they will be at home here. The Sabres are 12-5-2 at home this year, while the Canucks are 12-8-2 on the road. Vancouver has lost five of their last six games and they have allowed 21 goals in their last five. We know Buffalo is playing at a very high level on both ends of the ice, while Vancouver is really struggling to score. Take the Sabres to get another win at home here.