Buffalo Sabres vs. Detroit Red Wings: Pick, Predictions and Odds

Read the latest betting pick, predictions and odds for the Buffalo Sabres (25-32-6) vs. Detroit Red Wings (30-28-6) in the NHL, courtesy of our friends at Daily Faceoff.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Detroit Red Wings betting pick and predictions

Buffalo ended a six-game losing streak with a 3-2 upset win over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, and now Detroit will try to do the same against the Sabres.

The Red Wings saw their losing streak extend to six games with a 2-1 loss in Ottawa on Monday and now sit four points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Meanwhile, the Sabres are dead last in the Eastern Conference with 56 points. While they aren’t going to make the playoffs, they can still play spoiler. The Red Wings have one of the toughest remaining schedules based on regular-season point totals, so a loss to the last-place Sabres would be a crushing blow.

That said, despite the 10-point difference in the standings, there’s really not much separating these two clubs.

According to Evolving Hockey, Buffalo ranks 21st in expected goals percentage and eighth in goal share at five-on-five dating back to Dec. 27. The Red Wings, on the other hand, rank 27th in five-on-five expected goals and 26th in goal share since Todd McLellan took over as head coach on Dec. 27.

There’s also less than one percentage point separating the two teams in shot share at five-on-five.

Moreover, the Sabres have been the best offensive team at five-on-five during this stretch, ranking first in goals per 60 minutes, while the Red Wings rank 27th in five-on-five scoring under McLellan. However, Detroit has been slightly better defensively and has won two of three games against Buffalo this season.

That said, I’m more interested in a particular player prop than the outcome of this game.

Sabres forward Alex Tuch has been on a heater, scoring nine goals in 11 games dating back to Feb. 4. Tuch has found the back of the net in eight of those 11 games and has led the team in shots on goal for the last six weeks.

Pick: Alex Tuch Anytime Goalscorer (+190)

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Buffalo Sabres vs. Detroit Red Wings odds

BUF Sabres	+120 ML
DET Red Wings	-140 ML
Puck Line	DET -1.5
Total Goals	O/U 6.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Better Collective. Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.