| MATCHUP | Minnesota Wild | Buffalo Sabres |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 26-13-9 | 26-16-4 |
| Spread | +1.5 -245 | -1.5 200 |
| Moneyline | +105 | -125 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (105) | Under 6.5 (-125) |
| Where | KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY | |
| When | Saturday, January 17, 2026 | |
| Time | 12:30 PM EST | |
| TV | NHL Net | |
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild lost to the Jets and Devils, and they play the Maple Leafs next. The Wild have lost 5 of their last 6 games.
The Minnesota Wild are averaging 3.06 goals per game and are scoring 22.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Matt Boldy leads Minnesota with 27 goals, Kirill Kaprizov has 27 assists and Joel Eriksson Ek has 133 shots on goal. Defensively, the Minnesota Wild are allowing 2.77 goals per game and are killing 76.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Filip Gustavsson has allowed 71 goals on 797 shots faced, and Jesper Wallstedt has given up 53 goals on 618 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres beat the Flyers and Habs, and they play the Hurricanes next. The Sabres have won 5 of their last 6 games.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.26 goals per game and are scoring 19.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 25 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 27 assists, and Alex Tuch has 110 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.11 goals per game and are killing 83.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Alex Lyon has given up 54 goals on 577 shots faced, and Colten Ellis has allowed 32 goals on 314 shots.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won eight of their last nine home games.
- The Wild have lost four of their last five games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last four home games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Wild have lost the third period in five of their last six games against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The Wild have won nine of their last 11 games as underdogs.
- The Wild have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games as road underdogs.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last nine games as home favorites following a home win.
- The Wild have won the third period in four of their last five day games against opponents on a winning streak.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last six games between the Wild and Sabres have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Nine of the Wild’s last 10 games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last nine games as road underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Sabres’ last eight day games at KeyBank Center against opponents on a losing streak.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Jason Zucker has scored a goal in three of his last four appearances against Central Division opponents.
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last five games.
- Josh Doan has recorded 13 career shots against the Wild – equal-most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Kaprizov has scored at least one goal in each of the Wild’s last four games at KeyBank Center.
- Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine road appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Quinn Hughes ranks 1st in the Western Conference for average time on ice (27:34) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres have recorded the equal-longest road winning streak (7 games) in the NHL this season (including playoffs).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 2nd in the league for Period 2 goals allowed per game this season (0.83).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 32nd in the league in penalty minutes this season (310).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 2nd in the league in save percentage this season (.914).
Minnesota Wild vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction
The Wild and a cheap price is intriguing because this is still a good team. The problem is the Wild are in a slump where the defense has been getting hit over the head lately. I doubt an early start on the East Coast helps matters. Also, the Sabres are one of the hotter teams in the league, getting it done at a high level at both ends. You shouldn’t be looking to step in front of the Sabres right now. The Sabres have also been fantastic on their home ice this season. Early start times usually favor the home team. The line isn’t too steep. Give me the Sabres on Saturday afternoon.