Predators vs. Sabres Prediction, Picks & Player Props for Tonight's NHL Game
On Friday, the Buffalo Sabres welcome the Nashville Predators to KeyBank Center (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+). While promising goals galore would be as foolish as guaranteeing that Buffalo will make the playoffs, the analytics suggest we're in for a high-scoring affair.
If there's one consolation of being a Buffalo Sabres season ticket holder, it's the abundance of goals you're bound to see, even if you leave early, which you probably do most nights.
With my Predators vs. Sabres prediction, picks, and player props for tonight's game, that's what I'm banking on.
Predators vs. Sabres predictions today
NHL odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.
- Game pick: Over 6.5 goals (+100 via Betway) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Brady Skjei player prop pick: [Pick] (ODDS via Sportsbook) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My best Predators vs. Sabres pick
Over 6.5 goals ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Friday's matchup in Buffalo represents a perfect storm of two poor defensive teams in their respective environments. The Sabres are more porous at home than a storm drain, while the Predators' defense is about as docile and listless as morbidly obese house cat.
More than I'd like, this kind of perfect storm can supply the exclusion to the rule, but recent history suggests neither team can prevent the red light from consistently turning on.
Buffalo has the league's third-worst defensive record at home, allowing 3.52 goals per game. It's been even more abject in the 14 games since Nov. 28, with the Sabres allowing the most goals (3.92). KeyBank Center has been home to six straight games with at least seven goals.
Lindy Ruff's squad exploded for seven goals against Boston in the last game at home. I'm hoping they didn't blow their entire offensive wad in that tilt.
Predators' poor road defense
They sure don't remind me of an instinctually sound predator. Nashville allows the eighth-most goals per game (3.4) in enemy rinks. That record is even worse in the nine games since Dec. 13, in which they've conceded four goals per game. Only the toothless San Jose Sharks have allowed more in that timeframe.
Six of the Predators' previous nine road contests had seven goals or more, while four of their last five overall also hit the Over. I'm hoping both teams live down to the rock-bottom defensive expectations. If they do, a $10 bet will profit $10.
Best odds: +100 via Betway | Implied probability: 50%
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Best Predators vs. Sabres player prop pick
NHL picks made Friday; odds subject to change.
Brady Skjei prop pick: Over 1.5 shots ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skjei — don't ask me how to pronounce Brady's last name — represents a sound Over 1.5-shot wager. The Predators defenseman hit the Over in five of his last six contests and seven of the previous 10 in enemy barns. He sees a fair amount of ice time on the second power-play unit.
As a team, Nashville fires the puck on goal fourth most of any team on the road. In the last nine away encounters, the Predators top the shot-taking chart, firing 32.6. A winning $10 bet will profit $7.46.
Best odds: -134 via Betway | Implied probability: 57.26%
Ryan O'Reilly prop pick: Over 1.5 shots ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Like Skjei, O'Reilly is usually a sound bet to fire at least two shots on goal. He has the same success rate as Skjei in the last 10 road games, hitting the Over seven times. While he hasn't been quite as consistent as Skjei recently, hitting the Over in six of the last 10 overall isn't too shabby.
Plus, O'Reilly usually increases his productivity against Buffalo. He has at least two shots in three straight against them, even scoring a rare hat trick in his final game against them as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. A winning $10 bet will profit $7.25.
Best odds: -138 via Betway | Implied probability: 57.98%
Predators vs. Sabres odds
Odds via Betway.
| Market | Predators | Sabres |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -120 | +100 |
| Puck line | -1.5 (+185) | +1.5 (-236) |
| Over/Under | Over 6.5 (+100) | Under 6.5 (-120) |
Predators vs. Sabres injuries
Predators vs. Sabres live odds & info
- When: Friday, Jan. 31
- Puck drop: 7 p.m. ET
- Where: KeyBank Center (Buffalo, N.Y.)
- How to watch: NHL Network, ESPN+
- Favorite: Predators (-120 via Betway)
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