Minnesota Wild vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, Picks & Odds | 17 Jan 2026

NHL Betting Preview: Wild vs Sabres

The Minnesota Wild go up against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center, with face-off scheduled for 12:30 on Saturday, January 17.

We should take advantage of the -152 when it comes to the Wild and the Sabres going Over 5.5. These odds look to be on the generous side.

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Minnesota Wild have suffered three straight defeats, recently being beaten at home by Winnipeg Jets 6-2 at Xcel Energy Center. Danila Yurov and Marcus Johansson scored one goal each.

Buffalo Sabres have enjoyed back-to-back wins, most recently beating Montreal Canadiens 5-3. It was a home success at KeyBank Center. Tage Thompson had a hat trick and 2 assists.

Head-to-Head Statistics

It was a 3-2 win for the Sabres at Xcel Energy Center when they last played the Wild. The previous 10 games featuring these teams have resulted in six Sabres victories.

Starting Goalies

Jesper Wallstedt (Expected)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	12-4-4	2.6	.914	4
23/24	2-1-0	3.01	.897	1

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Expected)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	10-6-1	2.6	.904	0
23/24	27-22-4	2.57	.910	5

4 wins, 3 losses and 3 overtime losses, averaging 3.3 goals from 29.3 shots on goal, with a 18.2% powerplay efficiency. The Wild have been giving up 3.5 goals from 28.2 shots, averaging 2.5 penalties with a penalty-killing efficiency of 88.0%.

Quinn Hughes is the top points scorer with 12 points which were all assists, with Kirill Kaprizov recording 9 points, 3 goals and 6 assists, over the last 10 games. Goalie Jesper Wallstedt have a 3.78 goal against average with a .870 save percentage.

The Sabres have 8 wins and 2 losses, averaging 4.1 goals from 26.9 shots on goal, with a 8.1% powerplay efficiency. They have conceded 2.6 goals from 28.7 shots, averaging 2.9 penalties per game with a penalty-killing efficiency of 89.7%.

The top points scorer is Tage Thompson with 17 points, 7 goals and 10 assists, while Josh Doan is next best after registering 10 points, 5 goals and 5 assists. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have a 2.34 GAA with a .922 SV%.

Minnesota Wild vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction & Picks

Get the edge with our best Minnesota Wild vs Buffalo Sabres picks: a key match prediction, correct score recommendation and a ready-made bet builder. Explore each section below for detailed insights.

Game Prediction

Let’s shoot for the number of goals to go over the line when it comes to this NHL clash. There’s an appealing -152 available which can be snapped up.

We’re always on top of team news and when combined with recent form, it helps us uncover the best value. Our NHL handicappers also take a data-led approach, using key stats to back every pick.

Key Wild vs Sabres stats:

• The 5.5 line has been covered in 9 of the last 10 Wild games.
• The 5.5 line has been covered in 4 of the last 5 Wild games.
• The 5.5 line has been covered in the last 3 Wild games.
• The 5.5 line has been covered in the last 7 Sabres games.
• The 5.5 line has been covered in 8 of the last 10 Sabres games.
• The 5.5 line has been covered in 14 of the last 20 Sabres games at home.

Over 5.5 Probability

The odds at the top betting apps suggest our pick has a 60.2% chance of winning. However, our research has found that the actual probability is closer to 70%. The bet can be recommended for this precise reason.

If you want to go Over on the Total at bigger odds, then you can combine this pick with other selections as part of a Bet Builder until you’re happy with the overall price.

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Our Game Prediction

Over 5.5 Goals @ -152 Watch Live Bet Now

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Correct Score Prediction

Wild 2 - 6 Sabres

Let’s take a chance on the +2800 available that the Sabres secure a 6-2 victory. There’s a nice potential return waiting if we’re able to predict the correct score.

Latest Correct Score Odds

Score

Wild

Sabres

1-0

Wild

+5500

Sabres

+5500

2-0

Wild

+5000

Sabres

+5000

2-1

Wild

+1500

Sabres

+1400

3-0

Wild

+4000

Sabres

+3300

3-1

Wild

+2000

Sabres

+1800

3-2

Wild

+900

Sabres

+800

4-0

Wild

+5000

Sabres

+4000

4-1

Wild

+1900

Sabres

+1500

4-2

Wild

+1700

Sabres

+1500

4-3

Wild

+1050

Sabres

+950

5-0

Wild

+9000

Sabres

+6600

5-1

Wild

+3300

Sabres

+2400

5-2

Wild

+1900

Sabres

+1500

5-3

Wild

+2400

Sabres

+2000

5-4

Wild

+2000

Sabres

+1800

6-0

Wild

+13000

Sabres

+10000

6-1

Wild

+7500

Sabres

+5000

6-2

Wild

+4000

Sabres

+2800

6-3

Wild

+3300

Sabres

+2500

6-4

Wild

+5000

Sabres

+4500

6-5

Wild

+4500

Sabres

+4500

7-0

Wild

+4500

Sabres

+14000

7-1

Wild

+12500

Sabres

+9000

7-2

Wild

+10000

Sabres

+7000

7-3

Wild

+6600

Sabres

+5000

7-4

Wild

+7000

Sabres

+6000

7-5

Wild

+11000

Sabres

+9000

7-6

Wild

+11000

Sabres

+11000

8-1

Wild

+11000

Sabres

+14000

8-2

Wild

+11000

Sabres

+12000

8-3

Wild

+11000

Sabres

+12000

8-4

Wild

+12500

Sabres

+10000

8-5

Wild

+14000

Sabres

+13000

View More

Minnesota Wild vs Buffalo Sabres Odds

The odds and lines are updated on a frequent basis. You might therefore find that they are different to the ones listed for the above betting predictions.

With a 56% chance of securing victory, Buffalo Sabres are favorites for this game and the sportsbooks have them at betting odds of -130. At +108, Minnesota Wild are regarded as having a lower probability of winning.

The puck line stands at 1.5 and the total goals line is 5.5. There is no denying the popularity of wagering on Totals. If you’re going for Over 5.5, then the odds are -141.

There are hundreds of game lines and team props when it comes to wagering on the National Hockey League and we recommend visiting the top betting sites to find the wager that matches your view on the game.

Moneyline

Wild

+108

Sabres

-130

3-Way Moneyline

Wild

+180

Tie

+310

Sabres

+120

Puck Line

Wild +1.5

-233

Sabres -1.5

+184

Total Goals

Under 5.5

+114

Over 5.5

-141

Latest regular season and playoff games stats.

Minnesota Wild Stats

Buffalo Sabres Stats

Moneyline

• 4 wins and 6 defeats in the last 10 games
• 6 wins and 4 defeats in the last 10 games on the road

Moneyline

• 8 wins and 2 defeats in the last 10 games
• 8 wins and 2 defeats in the last 10 home games

Puck Line

• +1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in 7 of the last 10 games
• +1.5 Betting Line on the Road: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in 8 of the last 10 games on the road

Puck Line

• -1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 8 of the last 10 games
• -1.5 Betting Line at Home: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 7 of the last 10 home games

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 7.00 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals on the Road: An average of 6.60 goals in the previous 10 games on the road
• Over 5.5: Covered in 9 of the previous 10 games
• Over 5.5 on the Road: Covered in 8 of the previous 10 games on the road
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 3.30 goals and allowed 3.70 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals on the Road: Have scored an average of 3.70 pts and allowed 2.90 goals in the last 10 games on the road

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 6.70 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals at Home: An average of 6.70 goals in the previous 10 home games
• Over 5.5: Covered in 8 of the previous 10 games
• Over 5.5 at Home: Covered in 7 of the previous 10 home games
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 4.10 goals and allowed 2.60 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals at Home: Have scored an average of 4.00 goals and allowed 2.70 goals in the last 10 home games

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.6
• Shots: 29.3
• Goals Shorthanded: 0
• Penalties: 2.5
• Empty Net Goals: 0
• Penalty Minutes: 5.3
• Blocks: 13.3
• Faceoff Wins : 20.8
• Hits: 16.6
• Giveaways: 15.3
• Takeaways: 4.6

Last 10 Games on the Road

• Goals Powerplay: 0.6
• Shots: 28.7
• Goals Shorthanded: 0
• Penalties: 2.7
• Empty Net Goals: 0.4
• Penalty Minutes: 5.7
• Blocks: 16.5
• Faceoff Wins : 25
• Hits: 18.2
• Giveaways: 15.6
• Takeaways: 4.9

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.3
• Shots: 26.9
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.2
• Penalties: 2.9
• Empty Net Goals: 0.5
• Penalty Minutes: 6.8
• Blocks: 8.3
• Faceoff Wins : 19.1
• Hits: 18.7
• Giveaways: 17.4
• Takeaways: 5.2

Last 10 Home Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.5
• Shots: 28.3
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 3.2
• Empty Net Goals: 0.4
• Penalty Minutes: 8.3
• Blocks: 8.2
• Faceoff Wins : 18.2
• Hits: 19.2
• Giveaways: 18
• Takeaways: 5.5

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Injuries & Suspensions

Starting Lineups

Both teams’ confirmed lineups will be published ahead of face-off. There is also the chance to look at the lineups from the previous 10 games.

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