Minnesota Wild at Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview/Prop Picks
04 March 2022
There is a full slate of NHL games on tap for Friday night, including an interesting matchup that will be taking place in Buffalo. The Sabres will be hosting the Minnesota Wild, and on paper, this game looks like it could be a blowout.
Minnesota enters Friday night with 67 points on the year, and that has them in third place in the rugged Central Division. The Wild look to be in great shape to reach the postseason, but they can’t afford to slip up and lose in Buffalo.
The Sabres will not be competing in the playoffs this season, and this franchise has plenty of work to do for the future. Buffalo has secured just 42 points on the year, but they did just pick up a stunning win over the Maple Leafs in Toronto.
The Minnesota Wild are pretty big moneyline betting favorites at -198 over the Buffalo Sabres.
Minnesota Scoring Some Goals
Minnesota has been an elite offensive team this season as they are scoring 3.69 goals per game. The Wild have also been a poor defensive team as they are allowing 3.14 goals each time out.
Kirill Kaprizov has been the best offensive weapon for the Wild as he is leading the team with 24 goals and 41 assists on the year. Minnesota scores on the power play 20 percent of the time, and that could cause Buffalo some issues as well.
The Wild have struggled to kill off penalties, and Cam Talbot is allowing over three goals per game. Minnesota will try to play fast on Friday night in an effort to wear down the Sabres.
Sabres Struggling to Get Stops
Buffalo is going to have to find a way to get better defensively if they are going to make some improvements by next season. The Sabres are allowing 3.55 goals per game, and that just isn’t good enough to win consistently in this league.
Tage Thompson has been a solid offensive player for the Sabres as he leads the team with 23 goals and 41 points on the year. Buffalo is scoring just 2.65 goals per game, but they have shown the ability to be an explosive team at times.
The Sabres also enter Friday night with a long list of injuries, and that could play a role in this matchup with the Wild.
Wild Win in Buffalo
Buffalo is a hard team to figure out, and they have just enough talent to be a problem for some of the top teams in the league. The Sabres are going to struggle to slow down Minnesota in this game but look for Buffalo to score as well.
Minnesota is a team that can make some noise in the postseason, but they also have to find a way to get some defensive stops. The Wild should have no trouble putting pucks in the back of the net on Friday night, but they will give some up as well.
This game will be tighter than you might expect, but there won’t be an upset taking place in Buffalo. Bet the Minnesota Wild -198 as they pick up a win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.
Prop Picks
Minnesota (-110) OVER 3.5 Goals
Minnesota is averaging 3.7 goals per game on offense, which ranks No. 3 in the league. Buffalo is allowing 3.5 goals per game on defense, which ranks No. 27. Scores have gone OVER in five of the Wild’s last six road games.
With Dunkel predicting a Minnesota victory by the score of 4-3, take the Wild (-115) to finish OVER their Vegas team total of 3.5 goals against the Sabres.
Kirill Kaprizov (-140) OVER 0.5 Assists
Kaprizov is tied for 8th in the league with 41 assists. After failing to record an assist in three straight games, the 24-year-old left wing has picked up a pair in his last two contests against Calgary and Philadelphia. He’s been especially productive in wins with 29 assists in 31 games played.
With Dunkel predicting a Minnesota win with the Wild offense going over their team total of 3.5 goals, take the Kaprizov (-140) to pick up another assist against the Sabres.
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