<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Saturday’s matchup between the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/buffalo-sabres/line-combinations">Buffalo Sabres</a> and <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/edmonton-oilers/line-combinations">Edmonton Oilers</a>.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sabres vs. Oilers Odds</span></h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buffalo Sabres Moneyline: +219</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Edmonton Oilers Moneyline: -249</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Puck Line: Sabres +1.5 (-114), Oilers -1.5 (+102)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Game Total: 6.5 (Over +107, Under -120)</span></li>
</ul>
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Game odds courtesy of Pinnacle.</span></i></p>
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<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Handicapping the Sabres (18-30 SU, 23-25 ATS, 26-15-7 O/U)</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/eastern-conference-seller-teams-2025-trade-deadline">Buffalo</a> will conclude its four-game road trip on Saturday in Edmonton. The Sabres have alternated losses and wins since hitting the road, but that trend will likely end against the Oilers.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Sabres are 9-13-2 on the road this season, but they have only defeated one playoff team—and that was way back on Nov. 20—making them an easy opponent to overlook. Last season, the Sabres split the two meetings against the Oilers, and they are 4-4 in road games against the Oilers during the Connor McDavid era. That said, Edmonton defeated Buffalo 8-3 in their only meeting at Rogers Place. Still, with McDavid out of the lineup for one more game, Edmonton must be careful not to underestimate a desperate Sabres team.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From a betting perspective, only one team has been less profitable than the Sabres on the moneyline, and it&#8217;s easy to see why. According to Evolving Hockey, Buffalo ranks among the bottom five teams in expected goals percentage and the bottom 10 teams in shots in all situations. Surprisingly, Buffalo ranks among the top 10 teams in goals per 60 minutes at even strength, but they have the sixth-worst power play (17.02 percent) this season.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Defensively, the Sabres rank 26th in goals against per 60 minutes at even strength and 21st on the penalty kill. However, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen hasn’t been all that bad, considering the shots and chances Buffalo gives up. The Sabres rank 26th in expected goals against and shots against per 60 minutes in all situations.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the injury front, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin missed practice on Friday. While head coach Lindy Ruff said his absence was precautionary, it’s still something for bettors to monitor on Saturday. Jason Zucker, who is tied for second on the team in scoring, will return to the lineup after missing two games due to an illness. Additionally, former Oilers forward <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/buffalo-sabres-activate-ryan-mcleod-off-ir-expected-to-play-saturday-vs-oilers">Ryan McLeod</a> will make his return to the lineup just in time to face his old team. McLeod, who has 10 goals and 14 assists in 45 games with Buffalo this season, is on pace for his best offensive season. The 25-year-old has four goals and four assists in his last 10 games.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Handicapping the Oilers (30-18 SU, 19-29 ATS, 21-26-1 O/U)</span></h2>
<p><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-day-after-48-0-oilers-live-rent-free-in-canucks-head-en-route-to-season-series-win">Edmonton</a> will continue its six-game homestand on Saturday, hoping to carry momentum from <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-day-after-48-0-oilers-live-rent-free-in-canucks-head-en-route-to-season-series-win">Thursday’s win</a> against Vancouver into their matchup with the Sabres. The Oilers were clearly motivated to dominate the Canucks after last Saturday’s loss in Vancouver. While this game may not generate the same energy, it’s possible that the win has galvanized the team.</p>
<p>The Oilers controlled 78 percent of the expected goals in the 6-2 victory, holding the Canucks to just 1.8 expected goals. By that measure, it was Edmonton’s best home game of the season so far, and considering they accomplished it without Connor McDavid in the lineup, it might be their best performance overall. Adding to the significance, backup goaltender Calvin Pickard was between the pipes.</p>
<p>Zach Hyman delivered his best game of the season, scoring two goals on six shots and adding an assist. Although it’s hard to call it Leon Draisaitl’s best game, given his consistently high level of play, the 29-year-old continues to showcase his leadership skills.</p>
<p>Draisaitl has stepped up in McDavid’s absence, not only over the last two games but also earlier in the season when No. 97 was sidelined. Over five games without McDavid this season, Draisaitl has tallied five goals and six assists, including three points (a goal and two assists) in Thursday’s win.</p>
<p>If Stuart Skinner can rebound from a tough stretch, there’s every reason to believe Edmonton will prevail on Saturday. Skinner has lost his last two starts and three of his last five, but the 26-year-old will be well-rested after a three-day break. While he’s recorded two shutouts in January, he’s also allowed three or more goals in four of his last five appearances, including three straight.</p>
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<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Best Bet for Sabres vs. Oilers</span></h2>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zach Hyman Anytime Goal (+138) at Pinnacle</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hyman has been streaky this season, but like Draisaitl, he’s been good without McDavid in the lineup. Through five games without his usual linemate, Hyman has four goals on 14 shots. The Sabres aren’t a good defensive team, and they’ve taken more penalties per game than all but three teams this season. That means Hyman should have opportunities to score in all situations on Saturday, and Pinnacle is offering the best odds on him to score a goal.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://app.actionnetwork.com/4zu6/chznhm6b"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Follow Andy’s hockey bets on the Action App!</span></i></a></p>


<span style="font-weight: 400;">Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Saturday’s matchup between the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/buffalo-sabres/line-combinations">Buffalo Sabres</a> and <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/edmonton-oilers/line-combinations">Edmonton Oilers</a>.</span>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sabres vs. Oilers Odds</span></h2>
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buffalo Sabres Moneyline: +219</span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Edmonton Oilers Moneyline: -249</span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Puck Line: Sabres +1.5 (-114), Oilers -1.5 (+102)</span></li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Game Total: 6.5 (Over +107, Under -120)</span></li>
</ul>
<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Game odds courtesy of Pinnacle.</span></i>
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<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Handicapping the Sabres (18-30 SU, 23-25 ATS, 26-15-7 O/U)</span></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/eastern-conference-seller-teams-2025-trade-deadline">Buffalo</a> will conclude its four-game road trip on Saturday in Edmonton. The Sabres have alternated losses and wins since hitting the road, but that trend will likely end against the Oilers.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The Sabres are 9-13-2 on the road this season, but they have only defeated one playoff team—and that was way back on Nov. 20—making them an easy opponent to overlook. Last season, the Sabres split the two meetings against the Oilers, and they are 4-4 in road games against the Oilers during the Connor McDavid era. That said, Edmonton defeated Buffalo 8-3 in their only meeting at Rogers Place. Still, with McDavid out of the lineup for one more game, Edmonton must be careful not to underestimate a desperate Sabres team.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">From a betting perspective, only one team has been less profitable than the Sabres on the moneyline, and it's easy to see why. According to Evolving Hockey, Buffalo ranks among the bottom five teams in expected goals percentage and the bottom 10 teams in shots in all situations. Surprisingly, Buffalo ranks among the top 10 teams in goals per 60 minutes at even strength, but they have the sixth-worst power play (17.02 percent) this season.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Defensively, the Sabres rank 26th in goals against per 60 minutes at even strength and 21st on the penalty kill. However, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen hasn’t been all that bad, considering the shots and chances Buffalo gives up. The Sabres rank 26th in expected goals against and shots against per 60 minutes in all situations.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">On the injury front, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin missed practice on Friday. While head coach Lindy Ruff said his absence was precautionary, it’s still something for bettors to monitor on Saturday. Jason Zucker, who is tied for second on the team in scoring, will return to the lineup after missing two games due to an illness. Additionally, former Oilers forward <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/buffalo-sabres-activate-ryan-mcleod-off-ir-expected-to-play-saturday-vs-oilers">Ryan McLeod</a> will make his return to the lineup just in time to face his old team. McLeod, who has 10 goals and 14 assists in 45 games with Buffalo this season, is on pace for his best offensive season. The 25-year-old has four goals and four assists in his last 10 games.</span>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Handicapping the Oilers (30-18 SU, 19-29 ATS, 21-26-1 O/U)</span></h2>
<a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-day-after-48-0-oilers-live-rent-free-in-canucks-head-en-route-to-season-series-win">Edmonton</a> will continue its six-game homestand on Saturday, hoping to carry momentum from <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-day-after-48-0-oilers-live-rent-free-in-canucks-head-en-route-to-season-series-win">Thursday’s win</a> against Vancouver into their matchup with the Sabres. The Oilers were clearly motivated to dominate the Canucks after last Saturday’s loss in Vancouver. While this game may not generate the same energy, it’s possible that the win has galvanized the team.

The Oilers controlled 78 percent of the expected goals in the 6-2 victory, holding the Canucks to just 1.8 expected goals. By that measure, it was Edmonton’s best home game of the season so far, and considering they accomplished it without Connor McDavid in the lineup, it might be their best performance overall. Adding to the significance, backup goaltender Calvin Pickard was between the pipes.

Zach Hyman delivered his best game of the season, scoring two goals on six shots and adding an assist. Although it’s hard to call it Leon Draisaitl’s best game, given his consistently high level of play, the 29-year-old continues to showcase his leadership skills.

Draisaitl has stepped up in McDavid’s absence, not only over the last two games but also earlier in the season when No. 97 was sidelined. Over five games without McDavid this season, Draisaitl has tallied five goals and six assists, including three points (a goal and two assists) in Thursday’s win.

If Stuart Skinner can rebound from a tough stretch, there’s every reason to believe Edmonton will prevail on Saturday. Skinner has lost his last two starts and three of his last five, but the 26-year-old will be well-rested after a three-day break. While he’s recorded two shutouts in January, he’s also allowed three or more goals in four of his last five appearances, including three straight.
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<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Best Bet for Sabres vs. Oilers</span></h2>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zach Hyman Anytime Goal (+138) at Pinnacle</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Hyman has been streaky this season, but like Draisaitl, he’s been good without McDavid in the lineup. Through five games without his usual linemate, Hyman has four goals on 14 shots. The Sabres aren’t a good defensive team, and they’ve taken more penalties per game than all but three teams this season. That means Hyman should have opportunities to score in all situations on Saturday, and Pinnacle is offering the best odds on him to score a goal.</span>

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