Sabres vs. Sharks: Projected Lines, Betting Odds, How to Watch & More 1/27/24

The Buffalo Sabres (21-23-4) are looking to finish strong heading into the bye week today in San Jose as they take on the Sharks (13-31-4). The month of January has been kind to the Sabres, going 6-4-0 and allowing a modest 2.1 goals per game. They’re riding high after an impressive come-from-behind win in Los Angeles Wednesday night.

Must Read: Sabres Score Four Straight to Overthrow Kings

The Sabres shutout the Sharks back on January 15th in Buffalo, as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen posted a perfect game in net. San Jose has sat at the bottom of the league standings for the majority of the season, and currently tied for last in the NHL with 30 points in 48 games.

How to Watch

Gametime: 4:00 p.m. ET

Location: SAP Center at San Jose (San Jose, CA)

TV: MSG (Buffalo); NBCSCA (Bay Area)

Stream: MSG+; ESPN+ (Out of market)

Radio: WGR550

The Sabres

The goalies are rolling for the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – today’s projected starter – particularly has been red hot.

Luukkonen has allowed only 10 goals in seven starts for Buffalo, which averages 1.42 goals-against per game. That’s an impressive .947 save percentage, and 9.39 goals-saved above expected per Evolving-Hockey.

With tending the net in check, it’s the Sabres’ goal scoring that continues to be the concern. Last game against the Kings was the first time the Sabres scored more than three goals in 13 games.

Even then, the JJ Peterka – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn line were responsible for four of the five goals. The Sabres will need a much more balanced attack in order to become a more consistent goal-scoring team.

Must Read: Sabres Grades: Peterka Scores Highest Grade of Season

The Sharks

In a season with not much to cheer for, a debut makes this one interesting for Sharks fans. Top defensive prospect Shakir Mukhamadullin is slated to play his first NHL game.

Mukhamadullin was a key piece in the deal that sent Timo Meier to New Jersey, and is a former Devils first-round draft selection. He’s expected to garner second-pair, second-powerplay duty in a good opportunity to showcase his talent.

Mukhamadullin has 26 points in 39 games for the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda. San Jose Hockey Now reporter Sheng Peng has more on his debut in his game preview.

Must Read: Preview/Lines #49: McCarthy on Why Mukhamadullin Deserves NHL Debut

Also differing from their last matchup against the Sabres a couple weeks ago is the return of captain Logan Couture to the lineup. Couture back in his usual top-six role makes the San Jose forward group much more formidable, and bolsters both the Sharks’ powerplay and penalty kill units as well.

Injury Report

Buffalo

• Erik Johnson (Upper Body) Day-to-Day [IR]
• Zemgus Girgensons (Upper Body) Day-to-Day
• Mattias Samuelsson (Upper Body) Day-to-Day

San Jose

• Mikael Granlund (Upper Body) Out [IR]
• Mario Ferraro (Undisclosed) Out
• Henry Thrun (Shoulder) Out
• Jacob MacDonald (Lower Body) Out [IR]
• Givani Smith (Lower Body) Out [IR]
• Matt Benning (Hip) Out For Season [IR]

Buffalo Sabres

Jeff Skinner – Tage Thompson – Kyle Okposo

JJ Peterka – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn

Jordan Greenway – Casey Mittelstadt – Alex Tuch

Eric Robinson – Peyton Krebs – Zach Benson

Rasmus Dahlin – Jacob Bryson

Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju

Ryan Johnson – Connor Clifton

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Projected)

Lineup Source: PuckLuck Projected

Goalie Source: PuckLuck Projected

San Jose Sharks

Mike Hoffman – Tomas Hertl – Fabian Zetterlund

Alex Barabanov – Logan Couture – Anthony Duclair

William Eklund – Nico Sturm – Luke Kunin

Filip Zadina – Ryan Carpenter – Josh Bailey

Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Ty Emberson

Shakir Mukhamadullin – Jan Rutta

Nikita Okhotiuk – Kyle Burroughs

Kaapo Kahkonen (Confirmed)

Lineup Source: Sheng Peng, SJ Hockey Now

Goalie Source: Sheng Peng, SJ Hockey Now

Betting Odds Breakdown

Believe it or not, there is a mild edge on the Sabres in today’s game. Yes, they’re heavy favorites on the road as it is, but the PuckLuck model likes them even more than the sportsbooks do.

In terms of betting edge, the general consensus at the sportsbooks has the Sabres at about -205, which translates to about a 67% chance of winning. The win probability at PuckLuck is 70%, resulting in a 3% betting edge.

Leaving room for standard error, it’s not a strong play on either the moneyline or puckline, but if you’re feeling like making a play there the numbers at least back you up.

Betting the game total is also in consideration, as Buffalo has hit the under in five of the last six games. It’s currently listed at six goals in most places, so there’s not a ton of edge. The potential push adds at least a little cushion and acts as a safety net for your bet.

For more betting analysis across the NHL, be sure to head over to PuckLuck.com.

*PuckLuck.com provides data related to gambling and cannot guarantee the success of any suggested or related wagers. Please gamble responsibly.*