Dallas Stars vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction 10/8/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Stars vs Sabres Prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, October 8th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Buffalo Sabres Preview

The Sabres have 4 points this season with a 2-1-0 record, and are 0-3 ATS and 2-1 in over/under. They are coming off a 3-2 home overtime win over the Wild and will face the Mammoth and Panthers next.

Offensively, the Sabres are averaging 3.33 goals per game and are scoring 0% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.67 goals per game and are killing 66.7% of their opponent’s power plays.

Owen Power leads the Sabres with 5 points and a team-high 4 assists, while Tage Thompson leads the team in goals with 2. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the starting goalie for the Sabres, and he has a 1-1-0 record, with 4.03 GAA and .784 SV%. Colten Ellis is the backup goalie and he has a 1-0-0 record, with 1.86 GAA and .900 SV%.

Dallas Stars Preview

The Stars have 2 points this season with a 1-2-0 record, and are 1-2 ATS and 0-3 in over/under. They are coming off a 5-0 home win over the Sharks and will face the Penguins and Avalanche next.

Offensively, the Stars are averaging 2 goals per game and are scoring 0% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 2 goals per game and are killing 77.8% of their opponent’s power plays.

Miro Heiskanen leads the Stars with 2 points and a team-high 2 goals, while Roope Hintz leads the team in assists with 2. Jake Oettinger is the starting goalie for the Stars, and he has a 1-1-0 record, with 1.02 GAA and .943 SV%. Casey DeSmith is the backup goalie and he has a 0-1-0 record, with 2.06 GAA and .923 SV%.

Dallas Stars @ Buffalo Sabres Betting Trends: October 8, 2026

Why the Buffalo Sabres will win

• The Sabres have won each of their last six games as a home underdog when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The Stars have lost four of their last five games as road favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last 12 games as home underdogs.
• The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games when playing with a rest advantage.
• The Sabres have won the third period in nine of their last 10 games when leading after the second period.

Why the Dallas Stars will win

• The Stars have won 11 of their last 12 night games following a home win.
• The Sabres have lost six of their last eight home games following a win.
• The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five home games after coming off overtime.
• The road team has covered the puck line in 12 of the Sabres’ last 16 games.
• The Stars have won the second period in each of their last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents when trailing after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

• Seven of the Stars’ last eight road games following a home win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Seven of the Sabres’ last eight games following an overtime win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last eight home games against the Stars.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Stars’ last seven games as favorites against the Sabres.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

• Zach Benson has recorded at least one assist in nine of his last 10 appearances with the Sabres as home underdogs.
• Tage Thompson has scored at least one goal in each of his last five appearances against Central Division opponents.
• Olen Zellweger has recorded 10 career hits against the Stars – most against any opponent (including playoffs).

Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts

• Wyatt Johnston has scored at least one goal in five of the Stars’ last six games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Matt Duchene has recorded at least one assist in each of his last five appearances.
• Roope Hintz has recorded a career faceoff win percentage of 64.6% against the Sabres (min. 5 faceoffs) – most against any opponent (including playoffs).

Matchup/League Facts

• The Buffalo Sabres rank T28th in the league in power play percentage this season (0.00%).
• The Buffalo Sabres rank T26th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (66.67%).
• The Dallas Stars rank T3rd in the league for goals against per game this season (2.00).
• The Dallas Stars rank T28th in the league for goals per game this season (2.00).

Stars vs Sabres Prediction

The Stars are 7-3 in their last 10 meetings against the Sabres and are 4-1 in their last 5 visits in Buffalo.

In this Stars vs Sabres Prediction, the Stars are coming as -115 road favorites. I like the Sabres as home dogs in this spot, as they have back-to-back wins, both at home, after losing their season opener, while the Stars have only one win and have lost their only road game. The Sabres were one of the best home teams in hockey last season and I don’t trust the Stars as road favorites so early this season against a Sabres team that has a much more consistent offense so far. Take the Sabres in this one.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Buffalo Sabres ML