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Islanders vs Sabres November 2 NHL Pick: Riding 8-Game Win Streak, N.Y. Opens As +100 Underdogs

Angelo Montilla

by Angelo Montilla in NHL Hockey

Updated Apr 6, 2020 · 1:18 PM PDT

Matthew Barzal and the N.Y. Islanders are +110 underdogs against the Buffalo Sabres despite winning eight straight games. Photo by Michael Miller. (Wikimedia) [CC License].
  • The Islanders have not Lost in regulation since Oct. 11
  • Buffalo has posted 5-0-1 ATS record on home ice this season
  • Get the odds, our pick, and all the info you need to bet the game below

There’s no hotter team in hockey right now than the New York Islanders.

Winners of eight straight, the Isles will look to keep their streak alive on Saturday when they travel to Buffalo for a road game against the Sabres.

Sportsbooks released their updated Islanders vs Sabres odds for this game, listing New York as the enticing +110 underdogs, lengthening the +100 opening odds.

Can the Isles hand Buffalo its first home defeat of the 2019-20 season?

N.Y. Islanders vs Buffalo Sabres Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
N.Y. Islanders +110 +1.5 (-245) O 5.5 (-106)
Buffalo Sabres -121 -1.5 (+205) U 5.5 (-104)

*Odds taken Nov. 1

When the lines opened early on Friday, the Sabres were listed at -113 and the odds increased from there, shortening to -114, -116 and eventually settling at -121 by late eventing. Sportsbooks are also giving the Sabres the -1.5 puck-line edge, with odds of +205 attached.

Both teams head into Saturday’s matchup having played the night before. Buffalo dropped a 6-1 decision to the Washington Capitals, while the Isles defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2.

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Sabres have Been Strong Against the Spread this Season

Although the Sabres are 5-0-1 at KeyBank Center this season, the club is 3-3 against the spread on home ice during that stretch. However, Buffalo has covered eight of its 11 games this season, posting a respectable 8-5 record ATS.

The Sabres are 9-3-2 on the season and sit second in the Atlantic Division with 20 points. The Sabres have been lights-out straight up over their last 16 games dating back to last season, posting a 10-6 record over that span.

The Sabres have been healthy for the most part this season, which has helped the team get off to such a hot start.

However, the Islanders (9-3-0) cannot be overlooked going into action on Saturday night, having won eight in a row. After starting the season 1-3-0, the Islanders have not looked back, making them a popular pick at +110.

New York has been just as impressive ATS this season too, posting a 7-4 record in that category. The Islanders have also covered three of its four games on the road, but it’s important to note that the team has covered once in its last five games going into action on Saturday.

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Islanders Have Edge in Head-to-Head Stats

The head-to-head numbers over the last 10 games between these two clubs has favored the Islanders. New York has a 6-2-2 record and are 2-1 against the Sabres over the last three meetings.

In their last game on March 30, 2019, the Isles skated away with a 5-1 victory. Both teams have been dangerous offensively this season, with Buffalo averaging 3.31 goals per game compared to the Islanders at 3.00.

The Isles and Sabres rank fifth and sixth, respectively, in goals against per game. N.Y. is allowing the fifth fewest goals per game (2.45) while Buffalo is next up at 2.46.

Taking your chances on total goals for this game?

Sportsbooks have set the line at 5.5, but only five of 11 games the Isles have played have resulted in Over outcomes. In fact, New York’s last two games went Under.

Buffalo, on the other hand, likes to play wide open, end-to-end hockey at times, which is why three of its last four games went Over.

Coming off Friday night games, this one might be a little slower-paced with the Sabres taking the ‘W’ on home ice while also ending NY’s impressive win streak.

Pick: Buffalo Sabres (-121)

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