Panthers vs Sabres Prediction 1/12/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Panthers vs Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Monday, January 12th at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Florida Panthers Betting Preview

The Florida Panthers are 23-18-3 this season after they defeated Ottawa by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Florida trailed 1-0 in the first period, but they scored the next three goals and escaped with the victory. The Panthers out shot Ottawa by a total of 21-19, won 45.9% of the face-offs, and went 2-4 on the power play in the game. Florida got goals from Rodrigues, Verhaeghe, and Forsling, while Bobrovsky stopped 17 out of 19 shots, which was an .895 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Florida lost to the Canadiens by a score of 6-2 and the Maple Leafs by a score of 4-1. The Panthers have lost four of their last six games and they are currently seventh in the Atlantic standings with 49 points. Florida has scored 3.02 goals per game and they have allowed 3.21 goals against per game, while also going 18.2% on the power play and 83.6% on the penalty kill this season. Brad Marchand has led Florida with 23 goals and 23 assists, while Sam Reinhart has added 23 goals and 21 assists. The projected starting goalie for Florida is Sergei Bobrovsky, who is 18-12-1 with a 2.90 goals against average and an .881 save percentage this season. 

Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are 24-15-4 this year after they defeated Anaheim by a score of 5-3 in their last game. Buffalo had their lead cut from 4-1 to 4-3 in the last minute of the third, but they added an empty net goal to seal the win. The Sabres were out shot by a total of 34-32, won 46.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Norris, Quinn (2), Thompson, and Byram, while UPL stopped 31 out of 34 shots, which was a .912 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Buffalo defeated the Rangers by a score of 5-2 and the Canucks by a score of 5-3. The Sabres have won 13 of their last 14 games and they are currently fourth in the Atlantic standings with 52 points. Buffalo has scored 3.19 goals per game and they have allowed 3.12 goals against per game, while also going 18.1% on the power play and 85.5% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 22 goals and 19 assists, while Alex Tuch has added 14 goals and 22 assists. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is 9-6-1 with a 2.63 goals against average and a .904 save percentage this year. 

Why the Buffalo Sabres will win

• The Sabres have won each of their last 11 night games following a win.
• The Panthers have lost six of their last seven road games against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last seven night games following a win.
• The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 11 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Panthers have lost the third period in eight of their last 10 road games against opponents on a winning streak.

Total Goals Facts

• Six of the Sabres’ last seven night games against the Panthers following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Five of the Panthers’ last six games as underdogs following a road win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Three of the last four games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Panthers’ last 11 Monday games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 11 Monday at KeyBank Center.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

• Josh Doan has scored a goal in four of the Sabres’ last five games.
• Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last 10 home appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Joshua Norris has scored the last goal in three of his last four appearances with his team as a home favorite against Atlantic Division opponents.

Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts

• Sam Reinhart has scored at least one goal in 15 of the Panthers’ last 17 Monday road games.
• Matthew Tkachuk has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six road appearances against the Sabres.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Buffalo Sabres have recorded the equal-longest winning streak (10 games) in the NHL this season.
• The Buffalo Sabres have recorded the longest road winning streak (7 games) in the NHL this season.
• The Florida Panthers rank 6th in the league for shots against per game this season (26.1).
• The Florida Panthers rank 6th in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (1.20).

Panthers vs Sabres Prediction 

Buffalo comes into this matchup as one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last month and they are surging in the Atlantic standings. The Sabres are 14-5-2 at home this year, while the Panthers are 9-9-0 on the road. Florida has lost four of their last six games and they have scored two goals or fewer in four of their last five. The Panthers have really struggled to string wins together this season and I can’t back them with how the Sabres are currently playing. Take Buffalo to win again at home.

David Racey's Pick: Sabres ML