Oct 3, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA;  Buffalo Sabres center Noah Ostlund (86) tries to block a pass by Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Greene (20) during the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Sabres vs Blackhawks Prediction 11/12/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

Pick details

Buffalo vs Chicago Odds and Matchup Info
MATCHUP Buffalo Sabres Chicago Blackhawks
Team Records 8-7 4-13
Spread -1.5 164 +1.5 -198
Moneyline -155 +130
Total Over 6.5 (-102) Under 6.5 (-118)
Where United Center, Chicago, IL
When Thursday, November 12, 2026
Time 08:00 PM EST
TV ESPN+

Sabres vs Blackhawks Prediction


I’m not running to the window to back the Sabres at the end of a back-to-back when the defense is in rough shape, and they’ve lost 3 of their last 4 games. The problem is the Blackhawks haven’t won a game since October 27, and they’ve been getting drilled defensively. The Blackhawks are 32nd in goals per game, 31st in goals against, and 32nd in shots against. The Blackhawks are truly one of the worst teams in the NHL and have almost no betting value.

The Sabres have also won 9 of the last 10 games against the Blackhawks. You have to go back to January 2023, the last time the Sabres lost to the Blackhawks. This feels like a good spot for the Sabres to stop the bleeding. The Blackhawks are going nowhere fast. I’ll lay the somewhat reasonable price with the Sabres.

Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview


The Buffalo Sabres lost to the Golden Knights and Lightning, and they play the Stars next. The Sabres have won 4 of their last 7 games. The Sabres are 4-1-3 SU on the road, 4-6-0 SU at home, and 7-11 ATS on the season.

The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.1 goals per game and are scoring 5.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads the Sabres with 10 goals, 9 assists, and 70 shots. Jack Quinn has 9 goals, 7 assists, and 46 shots. Noah Ostlund had 4 goals, 6 assists, and 43 shots. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.2 goals per game and are killing 69.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has allowed 35 goals on 287 shots faced, and Colten Ellis has given up 20 goals on 173 shots.

Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview


The Chicago Blackhawks lost to the Lightning and Hurricanes, and they play the Jets next. The Blackhawks have lost 9 of their last 10 games. The Blackhawks are 0-8-1 SU on the road, 4-5-0 SU at home, and 7-11 ATS on the season.

The Chicago Blackhawks are averaging 2.17 goals per game and are scoring 9.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Roman Kantserov leads the Blackhawks with 9 goals, 2 assists, and 31 shots. Frank Nazar has 5 goals, 2 assists, and 28 shots. Connor Bedard has 5 goals, 9 assists, and 37 shots. Defensively, the Chicago Blackhawks are allowing 4.22 goals per game and are killing 78.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Spencer Knight has given up 49 goals on 413 shots faced. Arvid Soderblom has allowed 21 goals on 133 shots.

Sabres vs Blackhawks Injury Report


Patrick Kane is out for the Blackhawks with an upper-body injury. Bowen Byram is also out with an upper-body injury.

The Sabres are without Konsta Helenius with an upper-body injury. Justin Danforth is out with an upper-body injury. Alex Lyon is out with an upper-body injury. Matt Grzelcyk is out with a lower-body injury.

Why the Chicago Blackhawks will win

  • The Sabres have lost three of their last four games as road favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
  • The home team has won six of the Blackhawks’ last seven games.
  • The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games as a favorite when playing with a rest disadvantage.
  • The home team has covered the puck line in each of the Blackhawks’ last three games.
  • The Sabres have lost the third period in each of their last four night games.
2026-27 NHL handicapper records, ranked by profit ($100 base bet).
RankCapperWonLostWin %Profit
1Jay Yang201557.14%+274
2David Racey796853.74%+252
3John Ryan8561.54%+230
4Chris Ruffolo544455.10%+139
5CD Sports4357.14%+125

See the full rankings: Best NHL Handicappers

Why the Buffalo Sabres will win

  • The Blackhawks have lost each of their last 13 night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
  • The Sabres have won each of their last seven games against the Blackhawks.
  • The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games when playing with a rest advantage.
  • The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the Blackhawks’ last four games.
  • The Blackhawks have lost the second period in each of their last five home games when tied after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

  • Each of the Sabres’ last five games against the Blackhawks following a home loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
  • Five of the Blackhawks’ last six home games following a road loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
  • The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in 13 of the Sabres’ last 14 games following a loss.
  • The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last six games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.

Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts

  • Roman Kantserov has scored a goal in each of the Blackhawks’ last four games as underdogs.
  • Ryan Ellis has recorded at least one assist in six of his last seven appearances in home games.
  • Anton Frondell has recorded two assists against the Sabres this season- the most against any opponent.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

  • Tage Thompson has scored at least one goal in each of his last four appearances at United Center.
  • Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six road appearances after playing less than 20 minutes the previous day.
  • Josh Doan has recorded two blocks against the Blackhawks this season- the most against any opponent.

Matchup/League Facts

  • The Chicago Blackhawks rank 31st in the league for goals against per game this season (4.22).
  • The Chicago Blackhawks rank 32nd in the league for shots against per game this season (30.7).
  • The Buffalo Sabres rank 26th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (69.84%).
  • The Buffalo Sabres have recorded the most wins when trailing after Period 2 this season (3).

Randy Chambers's Pick: Sabres

2026-27 NBA handicapper records, ranked by profit ($100 base bet).
RankCapperWonLostWin %Profit (per $100 bet)
1Jay Briggs402264.52%+1699
2John Ryan15383.33%+1180
3Stephen Nover10471.43%+527
4Big Al McMordie262056.52%+419
5Ron Romanelli191457.58%+369
6Sean Murphy211656.76%+318
7Matt Conley827253.25%+236
8Jay Yang302653.57%+95
9Damian Sosh151353.57%+75

See the full Best NBA Handicappers rankings

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