Buffalo Sabres vs Minnesota Wild Picks and Predictions November 27th 2024

Buffalo Sabres vs Minnesota Wild November 27th 2024

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Wild and Sabres. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Sabres at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. Get ready to place your bets! The Wild come into this non-conference matchup favored by -1.5 goals. The over/under line currently sits at 6 goals.

Minnesota vs. Buffalo Key Information

• Teams: Wild at Sabres
• Where: KeyBank Center Buffalo
• Date: Wednesday, November 27th
• Betting Odds MIN -137 | BUF +116 O/U 6

The Wild Can Win If…

With a 2-1 overtime win against the Maple Leafs, the Wild improved to 13-4-4. Minnesota was favored on the puck line, but didn’t cover. The total was set at 6 goals, and the combined 3 goals fell short of that mark.

Ryan Hartman opened the scoring for the Wild at 9:41 in the first period, but the Maple Leafs tied it up with just 52 seconds left in the period. Matt Boldy’s goal at 2:14 in overtime sealed the victory for Minnesota.

In their latest game, the Wild managed 33 shots on goal but only found the back of the net twice. Ryan Hartman scored his third goal of the season, while Matt Boldy added his sixth, netting the game-winner in overtime.

Jared Spurgeon picked up assists on both goals, bringing his season total to three. Marco Rossi also contributed with his seventh assist on Boldy’s overtime goal. The Wild had 15 giveaways in the game.

Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves with a 96.4% save percentage, helping the Wild to a 2-1 win in overtime. Minnesota’s defense also contributed 7 takeaways and 22 hits. The only goal they allowed was a power-play goal by Toronto late in the first period.

• Minnesota has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). This includes going 1-2 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Wild have gone 5-5 straight up. Against the spread, Minnesota went 6-4 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 5-4-1.

The Sabres Can Win If…

Buffalo fell to 11-9-1 after a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings. The Sabres were underdogs on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but both teams combined for just 3.

Buffalo scored first with a short-handed goal from Alex Tuch, but the Red Wings responded with two power-play goals in the second period. The Sabres didn’t cover the puck line in the loss.

Buffalo’s offense took 32 shots on goal but only managed to score once in their 2-1 loss to Detroit. Alex Tuch netted his 5th goal of the season, scoring on a shorthanded opportunity 8:21 into the first period.

The Sabres had 13 giveaways and were shut out in the second and third periods. Tuch led the team with 5 shots on goal.

Defensively, the Sabres will be looking to bounce back after allowing two goals in their last game, both coming in the second period on the power play. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, while the defense added 5 takeaways and 17 hits.

• Through their last three games, the Sabres have a record of 3-0. Against the spread, the team is 2-1 in these same games while going 0-2-1 on the over/under.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Sabres have gone 7-3 straight up. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 5-5 and an over-under mark of 4-4-2.

The Lean

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Sabres to secure a victory over the Wild at home. With the moneyline currently set at +116, I’m locking in my bet on the Sabres straight-up.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Sabres winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Sabres straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Daily NHL Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Hockey Handicappers

Tage Thompson Set to Return as Buffalo Sabres Face Minnesota Wild

The Buffalo Sabres, fresh off a stellar West Coast road trip, are gearing up to face the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night at home. The matchup brings exciting developments, including the likely return of their top goal scorer, Tage Thompson, and the chance to continue their recent winning momentum.

Tage Thompson’s Anticipated Return

Tage Thompson, the Sabres’ leading goal scorer with 11 goals this season, is expected to make his return after missing five games due to a lower-body injury. Despite his absence, the 27-year-old center still ranks third on the team in points (18), showcasing his critical role in Buffalo’s offense.

Speaking with reporters after practice on Tuesday, Thompson expressed confidence:
“I’m ready to go and excited to help the team keep building on our success.”

Thompson’s return couldn’t come at a better time, as the Sabres look to improve their standing in the competitive Eastern Conference.

Buffalo’s Recent Momentum

The Sabres swept their California road trip, defeating the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks over four days. This surge has lifted Buffalo to eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Head coach Don Granato, who has been instrumental in the team’s recent growth, emphasized the importance of maintaining intensity:
“You come off a road trip like this, and the goal is to exceed the energy and focus we showed. That’s how we grow and stay competitive.”

However, Granato stressed the need for better discipline, as Buffalo allowed 12 power-play opportunities during their road trip while earning just seven themselves.

Minnesota Wild: A Tough Opponent

The Wild enter Wednesday’s game on a two-game losing streak, including a 4-1 home loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. Despite the result, Minnesota’s offense was relentless, producing a season-high 44 shots on goal, including 22 in the first period—a franchise record for a single period in nearly seven years.

Head coach John Hynes acknowledged the effort but called for focus:
“We did a lot of good things, but we couldn’t capitalize on our chances. Now it’s about turning the page and being ready for Buffalo.”

Minnesota boasts 30 points in 21 games, tying their best start in franchise history. They are led by left winger Kirill Kaprizov, who has been electric with 13 goals and 21 assists this season. His 34 points place him among the NHL’s top scorers, tied with Vegas’ Jack Eichel and trailing league leaders Martin Necas and Nathan MacKinnon by just one point.

Key Factors to Watch

1. Buffalo’s Discipline: The Sabres must minimize penalties to avoid giving Minnesota’s offense additional opportunities.
2. Thompson’s Impact: How quickly can Thompson regain form and influence Buffalo’s offense?
3. Wild’s Offensive Firepower: Kaprizov and company will test Buffalo’s defense, which has shown improvement but remains inconsistent.

Injury Updates

Minnesota might be without defensive center Jakub Lauko, who left Monday’s game with a lower-body injury. Hynes did not provide an update after the game, leaving his status uncertain. Buffalo, on the other hand, is thrilled to have Thompson back and mostly healthy heading into the contest.

Conclusion

The clash between the Buffalo Sabres and Minnesota Wild promises to be an intense battle between two teams with plenty to prove. Buffalo aims to extend its winning streak and ride the energy of Thompson’s return, while Minnesota looks to bounce back and leverage its potent offense. With both teams motivated and key players ready to shine, fans can expect a thrilling game.