- The Edmonton Oilers (37-22-4) visit the Buffalo Sabres (24-32-6) in Monday Night NHL action
- Edmonton has won three of four, while Buffalo has dropped six straight
- Read below for Oilers vs Sabres prediction, odds and starting goalies for Monday’s game
The Edmonton Oilers (37-22-4) have bounced back following a rough stretch to win three of four and will take on the reeling Buffalo Sabres (24-32-6).
Action gets underway from KeyBank Center in Buffalo at 7pm ET, with ESPN+, Hulu and Disney + providing the broadcast in the United States and Rogers Sportsnet in Canada.
The Oilers are -194 favorites on the moneyline, with a total of 6.5 goals the line for this contest. Here are my Oilers vs Sabres predictions for Monday Night Hockey.
Oilers vs Sabres Prediction
After losing five straight games in regulation with some ghastly goaltending Kris Knoblauch’s boys have righted the ship, taking three of four, including a 5-4 victory over Dallas on Saturday.
Edmonton made some moves before the trade deadline, picking up blueliner Jake Walman from San Jose, and forwards Trent Frederic and Max Jones from Boston.
Since February 1st, Edmonton is tied for the most goals allowed per game in the NHL (4.00). The team they’re tied with? Their opponents, the Sabres.
Four of the Oilers last five victories have seen them not hit on the puckline, with those coming by just one goal (including three in overtime).
For the Sabres, it’s yet another lost season, as they sit in the basement of the Eastern Conference, six points worse than anybody else. Buffalo is well on their way to a 14th consecutive campaign without a postseason appearance. They’ve lost six in a row, surrendering at least four goals in each affair. That has come on the heels of them being victorious in six of seven, but then they came back down to earth.
At the trade deadline, they made one big deal, sending 2019 first rounder Dylan Cozens to the Senators for another first round disappointment (2017) in Josh Norris. Buffalo has had a habit of dealing away underperforming players who thrived elsewhere.
16 of the Sabres’ last 20 defeats have been by two or more goals, which is a staggering number. The last four times these two have squared off at the KeyBank Center, the final score has been 3-2, with the home team winning three times. However, records are meant to be broken, and broken is exactly what the Sabres are right now, and I can see a scenario where Edmonton crushes their counterparts.
Oilers vs Sabres Pick:
- Oilers puckline -1.5 (+128) at FanDuel
Oilers vs Sabres Odds
Odds as of March 10, 2025 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Browse the available NHL betting apps for Monday’s games.
Edmonton’s -194 moneyline odds means that a $194 wager would net you a profit of $100. On the other end, a pick for Buffalo to upset the Oilers would land you $160 profit on a $100 bet. The Oilers have won four of their last six against the Sabres.
If you’re playing the puck line, Buffalo is listed at +1.5 (-158). Taking the Sabres here means you’re taking Buffalo to win outright or lose by a goal. Edmonton to win by two goals is riskier, but offers a substantially better return vs the moneyline.
The total (over/under) for this game is set at 6.5 goals, paying at -120 for the Over, and -102 for the Under.
Oilers vs Sabres Starting Goalies
The starting goalies have not officially been named, but the expectation is that the home squad will feature Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen between the pipes. According to Mike Augello, Sabres co-editor for the Hockey News, he’s in the starters crease at the morning skate Monday. He’s allowed three or more goals to slip by him in each of the last four contests.
As for the road team, Stuart Skinner will get the nod, according to Head Coach Kris Knoblauch. They need all the points they can muster, as they’re four points back of the division leading Vegas Golden Knights.
In four of his last five starts, the Oilers netminder has not been on top of his game, allowing four or more markers. With both squads struggling to stop the puck, the person working the goal light might be working overdrive for tonight’s contest.
The Edmonton Oilers will face off against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, March 10th in what is sure to be an exciting matchup. Both teams are fighting for playoff spots in their respective conferences, making this game crucial for both sides.
In terms of prediction, the Oilers have been on a hot streak as of late, winning seven of their last ten games. Led by superstar Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers have one of the most potent offenses in the league. On the other hand, the Sabres have struggled recently, losing six of their last ten games. However, with players like Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner leading the way, the Sabres have the talent to compete with any team in the league.
As for the odds, the Oilers are currently favored to win this game. According to oddsmakers, the Oilers have a 60% chance of coming out on top, while the Sabres have a 40% chance of pulling off the upset. This is reflected in the betting lines, with the Oilers being listed as -150 favorites and the Sabres as +130 underdogs.
In terms of starting goalies, it is likely that Mikko Koskinen will get the nod for the Oilers, while Carter Hutton is expected to start for the Sabres. Both goalies have had solid seasons so far, with Koskinen boasting a .917 save percentage and Hutton posting a .908 save percentage.
Overall, this game has all the makings of a high-scoring affair, with two talented teams going head-to-head. It will be interesting to see which team comes out on top and solidifies their playoff position. Be sure to tune in on Monday night to catch all the action!