Buffalo Sabres vs. Flames Prediction and Odds – Game 51

Feb 3, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Buffalo Sabres defensemen Rasmus Dahlin (26) shoots the puck during the 2023 NHL All-Star Skills Competition at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Sabres are in the playoff hunt on the other side of the All-Star break, and the big push starts today at home against the Calgary Flames. 

Finally! The Buffalo Sabres return to action after nine-day break to face off with the Calgary Flames. While the Blue and Gold currently sit four points outside of a playoff spot, they also played in fewer games than the teams ahead of them, so they have less ground to make up than what the standings would imply otherwise.

But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t develop a sense of urgency. The Sabres, if they plan on playing hockey during the second half of April, need to play in February and March much in the same way they did in December and January.

And to do that, this team needs to pull off a few upsets. Can they steal one from the Flames? Let’s check out the odds.

Per Fan Duel, the Buffalo Sabres are +1.5 underdogs at home against the Flames. The Over/Under is 6.5, and the Sabres moneyline is +108. The Flames moneyline is -130.

The Sabres already upset the Flames on the road, so how hard can it be at home? Harder than you may think, actually, as the Blue and Gold have thrived against the Western Conference on the road, yet they haven’t played so hot at home against anyone.

But they are well-rested, and they could have a rather packed house in today’s contest. These two factors will help this team a lot, as they do play their best at the Key Bank Center when at least 17,000 are rocking the place.

If that’s the case today, expect the Sabres not just to win, but to go all high-octane on Calgary. I could easily see them scoring at least five goals. If the place isn’t so packed, then this one’s anybody’s game.

(Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change)