Detroit Red Wings vs Buffalo Sabres Picks and Predictions March 12th 2025

Red Wings Aim to Snap Skid as Sabres Come to Town

The Detroit Red Wings are in desperate need of a turnaround. Their losing streak has stretched to six games, and they’ll try to end the slump when they host the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.

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Red Wings Struggling to Convert Chances into Goals

Detroit’s latest setback came in a 2-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Monday, despite an offensive onslaught. The Red Wings fired 50 shots on goal, but only one officially counted. A second goal, scored by Lucas Raymond, came just after the final buzzer and was waved off.

“We should have put the puck in the net long before that,” Raymond admitted. “He’s a really good goalie, but it’s just execution. We had tons of looks. I’d rather have 10 shots and three goals.”

Despite the loss, head coach Todd McLellan remained optimistic, praising his team’s performance.

“There are no complaints about effort or execution. We ran into a goalie having a career night. If we keep playing like this, we’ll find ways to win,” McLellan said.

The Red Wings have struggled offensively throughout their losing streak, scoring one or two goals in five of the six games.

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Buffalo Looks to Build Momentum

Like Detroit, Buffalo also endured a six-game skid, but they finally broke out of it with a 3-2 victory over Edmonton on Monday. Tage Thompson played the hero, scoring two goals, including the game-winner early in the third period.

Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was equally important, making 32 saves to secure Buffalo’s first win since February 25.

“He made some big saves to keep us in it and calm us down a little bit,” Thompson said.

Previous Matchups: High-Scoring Affairs

The first two meetings between these teams this season featured plenty of offense:

• Oct. 26: Buffalo won 5-3, with Thompson scoring twice.
• Dec. 9: Detroit won 6-5 in a shootout, but they’ll be missing Andrew Copp this time, as he is out for the season following pectoral surgery.

Sabres’ New Addition: Josh Norris

The Sabres recently acquired Josh Norris from Ottawa, and he’s expected to play a key role as a top-line center.

“I think he can play against top guys, top lines, and still be a good offensive player,” said Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff.

What’s at Stake?

Detroit desperately needs to rediscover its scoring touch and capitalize on offensive opportunities. Buffalo, fresh off a win, will look to build momentum and continue Thompson’s hot streak.

Both teams have struggled recently, but Wednesday’s matchup presents a chance for one of them to turn things around. Will the Red Wings finally break through, or will the Sabres keep rolling?

Key Storylines to Watch:

✔️ Can the Red Wings finally finish their scoring chances?
✔️ Will Tage Thompson stay hot for Buffalo?
✔️ How will Josh Norris impact the Sabres’ lineup?
✔️ Which team will break away from the bottom of the standings?

Detroit needs a win—badly. With the pressure mounting, this showdown with Buffalo could be their best chance to get back on track.