The Buffalo Sabres (5-3-0) have been one of the most surprising stories to start the 2022-23 NHL schedule. Continue reading below to get our best Detroit Red Wings vs Buffalo Sabres game predictions and much more.
The team is coming off a 4-3 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks and just last week completed a three-game sweep of Western Canada, defeating the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks. Buffalo hosts the Detroit Red Wings (4-2-2) on Monday night.
Detroit, which is also coming off of an overtime victory Saturday, is fourth in the NHL standings for the Atlantic Division, while the Sabres are in third place.
Ville Husso and Eric Comrie are the expected starters. Husso is 3-1-1 with a 2.40 goals-against average (GAA), and a .926 save percentage, while Comrie is 2-3-0 with a 3.41 GAA and a .909 save percentage.
NHL Matchups Previous Records
For the most accurate Red Wings vs Sabres game predictions, it’s worth looking into what each of these teams has done in recent games.
Red Wings
Detroit is coming off a 2-1 overtime victory over the Minnesota Wild but had dropped its two prior games to the New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins by a combined score of 11-3.
Detroit and Buffalo are among the NHL teams on the rise, so Monday’s matchup should be interesting. Buffalo also dropped its last two games before winning in overtime on Saturday.
Sabres
The Sabres lost 5-1 to the Seattle Kraken last Tuesday and lost 3-2 to the Montreal Canadiens Thursday. Tonight’s game marks the third game of Buffalo’s four-game home stand.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Analysis
The home team is as the betting favorite for the Red Wings vs Sabres game prediction. Buffalo is listed as the -140 favorite on the moneyline and +175 on the -1.5 puckline.
The Red Wings odds, meanwhile, pay out +127 on the moneyline and -205 on the +1.5 puckline. The over/under is set at 6.5, with the over and under paying out +104 and -115, respectively.
Red Wings Looking for Offense from Young Stars
Detroit has played fairly well so far this season, considering they’ve gotten little contributions from two of their top young stars: Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider.
Raymond has just four points but scored the overtime winner against the Wild on Saturday, so perhaps that jump-starts his season.
2020 NHL Draft
The fourth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Raymond had 57 points as a rookie last season and was projected to be one of the league’s breakout players in 2022-23.
Seider, meanwhile, quickly established himself as one of the best all-around defensemen last season. He won the Calder Trophy after recording 50 points in 82 games and played in all situations for Detroit.
He has just one assist through eight games this season and has lacked the offensive punch he had last year.
NHL Player Stats
Surprisingly, Dominik Kubalik leads the Red Wings NHL player stats with 11 points through eight games. Kubalik had just 32 points last season with the Chicago Blackhawks. Dylan Larkin ranks second on the team with 10 points.
Buffalo’s Banged-Up Defense
Buffalo is coming into this game with some injury troubles on the backend. Three of its regulars – Henri Jokiharju, Ilya Lyubushkin, and Mattias Samuelsson – are on the NHL injury report.
Samuelsson, fresh off of signing a seven-year, $30 million contract, is expected to be out multiple weeks with a lower-body injury. Jokiharju is also expected to miss considerable time.
That has left a lot of the responsibility to first-overall picks Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Dahlin, who has 10 points in eight games, ranks sixth in the league in average ice time at 25:19 per game.
- Only Brandon Montour (Florida)
- Thomas Chabot (Ottawa)
- Cale Makar (Colorado)
- Quinn Hughes (Vancouver)
- Drew Doughty (Los Angeles)
Are on the ice more than Dahlin. Power, in his first year in the league, averages a whopping 22:51 per game. He has no goals and two assists.
NHL Injury Report
In addition to the Sabres injuries, the Red Wings are also coming into the game a little banged up. For the Red Wings vs Sabres game prediction, keep in mind that Detroit is missing:
- Tyler Bertuzzi
- Robby Fabbri
- Oskar Sundqvist
Among others
Michael Rasmussen will also serve the second game of his two-game suspension tonight. He was suspended for a hit on David Krejci of the Boston Bruins.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The under is one of the most likely Sabres picks through the first eight games of the season, having hit five times. Buffalo is also 5-3 against the spread (puckline).
Detroit is also 5-3 against the spread, and the over has hit in four of its eight games. Detroit is 1-2 against the spread on the road.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
Given the injuries to Buffalo’s blueline and the fact both teams are coming off low-scoring games, we’re expecting a high-scoring affair tonight.
Monday night games have a tendency to be sloppy, with plenty of defensive mistakes. Take the over for the best value in the Red Wings vs Sabres game prediction.
NHL Pick: Red Wings (+120)
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