Penguins vs Sabres Prediction 2/5/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Penguins vs Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, February 5th at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 28-15-12 this season after they lost to the Islanders in overtime by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Pittsburgh led 4-3 in the third period, but they allowed the tying goal with about five minutes left and lost in overtime. The Penguins out shot New York by a total of 35-23, won 44.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Brazeau, Mantha, Rust, and Chinakhov, while Skinner stopped 18 out of 23 shots, which was a .783 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Pittsburgh lost to the Senators by a score of 3-2, but did beat the Rangers by a score of 6-5 before that. The Penguins have lost two games in a row and they are currently second in the Metro standings with 68 points. Pittsburgh has scored 3.38 goals per game and they have allowed 2.91 goals against per game, while also going 26.4% on the power play and 84.2% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 27 goals and 32 assists, while Evgeni Malkin has added 13 goals and 30 assists. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Stuart Skinner, who is 8-4-1 with a 2.72 goals against average and an .887 save percentage for the Penguins this season. 

Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are 32-18-6 this year after they lost to Tampa Bay in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Buffalo led 3-2 in the third period, but they allowed the tying goal with 26 seconds left, before losing late in overtime. The Sabres were out shot by a total of 35-26, won 49.2% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Doan and Samuelsson (2), while Ellis stopped 31 out of 35 shots, which was an .886 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Buffalo defeated the Panthers by a score of 5-3, but lost to the Canadiens by a score of 4-2 before that. The Sabres have lost two of their last three games and they are currently fourth in the Atlantic standings with 70 points. Buffalo has scored 3.39 goals per game and they have allowed 3.05 goals against per game, while also going 20.1% on the power play and 82.1% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 29 goals and 29 assists, while Alex Tuch has added 22 goals and 26 assists. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Alex Lyon, who is 14-7-3 with a 2.66 goals against average and a .914 save percentage this year. 

Why the Buffalo Sabres will win

• The Sabres have won eight of their last nine games against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Penguins have lost four of their last five road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Sabres have covered the puck line in 16 of their last 18 night games.
• The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six night games at KeyBank Center.
• The Penguins have lost the second period in six of their last seven games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents when tied after the first period.

Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win

• The Penguins have won eight of their last nine Thursday games as underdogs.
• The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last six games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Sabres have lost the third period in each of their last four games as favorites at KeyBank Center when trailing after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Sabres’ last six games against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Four of the Penguins’ last five games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 10 night games at KeyBank Center.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in nine of the Sabres’ last 10 night games.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

• Alex Tuch has scored at least one goal in three of the Sabres’ last four home games.
• Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Sabres’ last eight night games.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Yegor Chinakhov has scored a goal in six of the Penguins’ last seven night games.
• Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one assist in six of the Penguins’ last seven night games.

Penguins vs Sabres Prediction 

Buffalo comes into this matchup after losing two of their last three games and they are coming off of a heartbreaking loss to the Lightning. The Sabres are 17-7-3 at home this year, while the Penguins are 15-7-5 on the road. Pittsburgh has dropped two in a row and they also blew a late lead in their last game. The Penguins have gone over 6.5 goals in three of their last four games, while Buffalo has gone over 6.5 goals in three of their last five. Take the over here.

David Racey's Pick: Over 6.5