Sabres vs Predators

Tage Thompson and the Buffalo Sabres roll into Nashville on the back half of a road back-to-back, having dropped two straight after a blistering 15-wins-in-19 stretch that has them clinging to a wild-card spot in the East. ([thehockeywriters.com](https://thehockeywriters.com/sabres-week-ahead-schedule-storylines-heating-up-norris-injury-lyon-returns-and-more/)) Josh Norris sitting on injured reserve removes a two-way middle-six center from Buffalo’s arsenal tonight, while Alex Lyon’s likely start in goal in this back-to-back spot adds some uncertainty despite his recent return from IR. ([thehockeywriters.com](https://thehockeywriters.com/sabres-week-ahead-schedule-storylines-heating-up-norris-injury-lyon-returns-and-more/)) The Predators, by contrast, are rested, opening a three-game homestand after quality wins over Washington, Edmonton and Colorado in the past week, with no major injuries listed and a veteran core of Steven Stamkos, Roman Josi and Ryan O’Reilly all healthy. ([nhl.com](https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/game-day-sabres-vs-preds-january-20-2026-01-20?utm_source=openai)) Filip Forsberg’s 11 goals in 16 career games versus Buffalo and O’Reilly’s familiarity with his former club give Nashville some matchup edges, even against an elite Sabres driver like Thompson, who has 3 goals and 5 points in 8 career games against the Preds. ([statmuse.com](https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask/filip-forsberg-career-vs-sabres?utm_source=openai)) With both teams 48 games into the season and jostling around the playoff cut line, the situational factors of Nashville’s home-ice comfort (13-10-2) and Buffalo’s schedule fatigue tilt me toward the favorite at a fairly modest -133 price; I’ll back the Nashville Predators moneyline with an A- grade for solid win probability and reasonable value in this spot. ([foxsports.com](https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nhl/nashville-plays-buffalo-in-a-nonconference-matchup?utm_source=openai)) Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 20/01/2026 09:39

With the total sitting at 6, the offensive profiles and recent trends for both teams point slightly toward a higher-scoring night in Nashville despite some risk baked into the juice on the Over. Over their last 10, Buffalo is averaging 3.8 goals for and 2.8 against per game, while Nashville is at 2.8 for and 3.2 against, combining for 6.6 goals scored and 6.0 allowed per contest, and projection models peg this matchup around 3.4–3.1 in favor of the Predators. ([foxsports.com](https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nhl/nashville-plays-buffalo-in-a-nonconference-matchup?utm_source=openai)) Thompson (25 goals, 50 points) is red-hot, Alex Tuch remains a key transition threat, and the Sabres’ forward depth has been buoyed by additions like Josh Doan and Konsta Helenius, while Nashville counters with Forsberg’s long-term production versus Buffalo and Stamkos’ finishing ability on a power play that’s hovering around 20 percent on the year. ([thehockeywriters.com](https://thehockeywriters.com/sabres-week-ahead-schedule-storylines-heating-up-norris-injury-lyon-returns-and-more/)) On the defensive side, the Preds have allowed 161 goals in 48 games and lean heavily on Juuse Saros, who is coming off a rough third period in Vegas, while Buffalo’s expected use of Lyon in this back-to-back spot introduces variance in net even as their overall team defense has tightened during their midseason surge. ([nhl.com](https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/game-day-sabres-vs-preds-january-20-2026-01-20?utm_source=openai)) Given the combination of recent scoring rates, slightly leaky goals-against numbers and a matchup loaded with high-end shooters on both sides, I lean Over 6 at -133 and grade it a B — there’s a strong chance of at least a push at six goals, but the price and potential goaltending bounce-backs keep it shy of elite value. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 20/01/2026 09:39

The puckline market is shaded toward a tight game, and that aligns with how these teams play: Nashville is 11-3-4 in one-goal decisions and 13-10-2 at home, while Buffalo, despite a modest two-game skid, has surged into the Eastern playoff picture with a 26-17-5 mark and rarely gets blown out during this run. ([foxsports.com](https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nhl/nashville-plays-buffalo-in-a-nonconference-matchup?utm_source=openai)) The Predators have historically done well against the Sabres and have some multi-goal wins in the recent head-to-head series, but projections for tonight’s matchup sit around a one-goal Predators edge (roughly 3.5–3.1), reinforcing that Buffalo is likely to stay within a single tally even in a hostile building. ([dailyfantasyfuel.com](https://www.dailyfantasyfuel.com/nhl/matchup-analysis/buffalo-sabres-nashville-predators-buf-nsh-20260120?utm_source=openai)) With Norris sidelined, Buffalo does lose some center depth, yet their top-six driven by Thompson and Tuch remains dangerous, and their blue line with Rasmus Dahlin can drive enough offense and transition to prevent the game from getting away, particularly against a Predators team that averages only about 2.8 goals per game and leans on Saros to hold leads. ([thehockeywriters.com](https://thehockeywriters.com/sabres-week-ahead-schedule-storylines-heating-up-norris-injury-lyon-returns-and-more/)) Considering Nashville’s propensity for one-goal outcomes, Buffalo’s improved structure and goaltending options, and the broader playoff stakes that should keep both sides locked in late, I prefer the Sabres at +1.5 goals even at a steep -225 price, grading this puckline play a B: high likelihood of cashing, but limited monetary upside given the heavy juice. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 20/01/2026 09:39