Buffalo Sabres vs Minnesota Wild Prediction, 1/28/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Minnesota Wild

Date: Saturday, January 28, 2023

Location: Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN

TV: Bally Sports North

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+155) Wild (-188)

The Minnesota Wild (26-17-4) welcome the Buffalo Sabres (26-19-3) at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday. The line on this matchup has the Sabres at +155 and the Wild are priced at -188. The total is set at 6.

The Buffalo Sabres were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 3-2 win against the Jets their last time on the ice. The Sabres had an average offensive output in the win. While out there on the ice, they netted 3 out of the 36 shots they tried. Moreover, they had 2 power play tries and were able to score 1 goal. Buffalo earned 6 minutes in the box in this outing.

Get all of our NHL Picks Today

At even strength, the Sabres let the opposition score 124 goals while getting 138 on the offensive side of the ice. Buffalo Sabres opponents have tallied 144 power play opportunities (23rd in professional hockey) and have scored 38 goals in those chances. Regarding their goal scoring prowess, the Buffalo Sabres have accounted for 182 goals (1st in the NHL) on the campaign and have given up 162. Buffalo has attempted 1,563 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 11.6%. For the season, they have earned 55 points and their points percentage is .573. The Sabres thus far have had 1,563 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .896. Buffalo has accounted for 169 power play opportunities and they have added 44 goals out of those advantages, giving them a percentage of 26.04%.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The opposition has been able to score 101 goals against Luukkonen in his pro hockey career and his goals against average is 3.24. Luukkonen has been involved in 32 games throughout his NHL career. His save percentage sits at .904 for his 1,868 minutes on the ice. He has earned an overall record of 16-13-3 and he has gotten the start in 32 games. For his career, Luukkonen has accounted for 14 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .438. Luukkonen has had 1,049 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 948 saves.

When they were on the ice last, Minnesota went up against the Flyers in a game where the Wild ended up with the win by a final score of 3-2. The Wild recorded 3 goals out of the 23 shots on goal they attempted. They had 3 attempts on the power play in this game and recorded 1 out of those opportunities.

The Wild have racked up 109 goals at even strength and 36 goals (14th in the NHL) while having more men on the ice. Minnesota has put up 1,462 shots (23rd in the NHL) and has a shooting percentage of 9.92%, while allowing their opponents 1,412 shots. Over the course of the season, the Minnesota Wild have accumulated 145 goals, 56 points, in addition to a points percentage of .596. They have permitted 134 goals to be scored by way of 101 goals at even strength and 33 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have recorded 149 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 24.16%. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 79.50% on their opponents 161 power play tries, and their save percentage comes in at 90.5%.

Across the rink you are going to see Marc-Andre Fleury protecting the goal. Teams are averaging 2.58 goals per contest and he has given up 2,411 goals overall. Fleury's percentage of quality starts comes out to 55.0% and he has made 447 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has been a starter 812 contests and has played for a total of 56,099 minutes. Fleury has amassed a lifetime record of 535-309-90 and has participated in 969 games. He is sitting with 25,179 stops out of 27,590 shots taken against him, giving him a save percentage of .913.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota (-188)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here