| MATCHUP | Buffalo Sabres | Dallas Stars |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 20-14-4 | 25-7-7 |
| Spread | +1.5 -180 | -1.5 150 |
| Moneyline | +136 | -162 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (105) | Under 6.5 (-125) |
| Where | American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX | |
| When | Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
In this article we will formulate a Sabres vs Stars prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, December 31st at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 20-14-4 this season after they defeated St. Louis by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Buffalo trailed 2-1 after the first period, but they scored once in the second and twice in the third for the win. The Sabres out shot St. Louis by a total of 34-18, won 55.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Benson, Krebs, Ostlund, and Tuch, while Lyon stopped 16 out of 18 shots, which was an .889 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Buffalo defeated the Bruins by a score of 4-1 and the Senators by a score of 3-2. The Sabres have won nine games in a row and they are currently fifth in the Atlantic standings with 44 points. Buffalo has scored 3.08 goals per game and they have allowed 3.16 goals against per game, while also going 19.1% on the power play and 84.8% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 18 goals and 16 assists, while Alex Tuch has added 12 goals and 19 assists. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Alex Lyon, who is 10-6-3 with a 2.82 goals against average and a .906 save percentage this season.
Dallas Stars Betting Preview
The Dallas Stars are 25-7-7 this year after they lost to Chicago in a shootout by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Dallas took a 3-2 lead in the third period, but they immediately allowed the tying goal and ended up with the shootout loss. The Stars were out shot by a total of 33-31, won 56.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Dallas got goals from Hryckowian, Rantanen, and Lundkvist, while Oettinger stopped 30 out of 33 shots, which was a .909 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Dallas lost to the Red Wings by a score of 4-3, but did beat the Maple Leafs by a score of 5-1 before that. The Stars have lost two games in a row and they are currently second in the Central standings with 57 points. Dallas has scored 3.49 goals per game and they have allowed 2.62 goals against per game, while also going 30.6% on the power play and 82.9% on the penalty kill this season. Mikko Rantanen has led Dallas with 15 goals and 39 assists, while Jason Robertson has added 23 goals and 22 assists. The projected starting goalie for Dallas is Jake Oettinger, who is 16-6-3 with a 2.51 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this year.
Why the Dallas Stars will win
- The Stars have won six of their last seven games after coming off a shootout.
- The Sabres have lost eight of their last 10 road games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six night games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Stars have covered the puck line in six of their last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Sabres have lost the second period in each of their last four road games against Central Division opponents when tied after the first period.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won each of their last 10 night games following a road win.
- The Stars have lost two of their last three games as home favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as home favorites after coming off a shootout.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in nine of their last 10 night games following a road win.
- The Stars have lost the first period in three of their last four home games following a shootout loss.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Stars’ last five games after coming off a shootout have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Sabres’ last four night games against opponents on a losing streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Stars’ last 10 home games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last six games against Central Division opponents.
Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts
- Mikko Rantanen has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Stars’ last 10 home games.
- Mikko Rantanen has scored a goal in each of his last six appearances with his team as a home favorite against the Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Joshua Norris has recorded an assist in each of his last four appearances against Central Division opponents.
- Zach Benson has scored a goal in four of the Sabres’ last five road games.
Sabres vs Stars Prediction
Dallas comes into this matchup with one of the highest point totals in the NHL, but Buffalo is the team looking for their 10th win in a row. The Sabres are 8-9-2 on the road this year, while the Stars are 12-5-2 at home. Buffalo has allowed two goals or fewer in five straight games, which is a complete turnaround from how the season started. Dallas hasn’t been great on defense over the last few games, but they are allowing just 2.62 goals against per game this season. I think we are going to see a lower scoring game, so I like the under here.