Red Wings vs Sabres Predictions, Picks & Starting Goalies (Wednesday, Oct. 22)

• The Red Wings are slight -112 moneyline favorites over the Sabres on Wednesday, October 22nd
• Detroit has won five of six while Buffalo dropped four of six
• See my Red Wings vs Sabres predictions below, plus odds and best bets and starting goalies

The puck drops on Wednesday Night Hockey, and it features a pair of Atlantic Division rivals going in opposite directions. The Detroit Red Wings (5-1-0, 5-1 ATS) square off with the Buffalo Sabres (2-4-0, 2-4 ATS). The hot start has the Wings atop the Atlantic, while the Sabres are second last.

It won’t be a homecoming for Buffalo native and Wings star Patrick Kane, as he’s been ruled out with an upper-body injury. It’s also expected to be the NHL debut of Sabres netminder Colten Ellis, who had save percentages better than .920% the last two years in the AHL.

Action is set to get underway at 7:30 pm ET from Keybank Center in Buffalo, New York with TNT and HBO Max with the coverage in the United States.

Red Wings vs Sabres Prediction

After missing the playoffs the last nine seasons, Detroit has made a statement early on that they might break that skid, with five victories in six contests, going 4-1 versus division rivals. Dylan Larkin has been a machine, with five goals and six assists for eleven points, ranking fourth in the NHL. No other Red Wing has more than six points.

An even longer playoff drought has followed Buffalo for 14 seasons. After dropping the first three games, all in regulation (scoring just two goals) fans were already panicking and wanting changes.

The Sabres have righted the ship somewhat, with a pair of wins in their last three outings, though they lost the last one. Zach Benson leads the squad with six points, with stalwarts like Rasmus Dahlin (5) and Tage Thompson (4) close behind.

DET vs BUF Season Stats/Ranks

Detroit has jumped out of the gates, ranking in the top-10 in scoring goals and preventing them. Last year, they were 22nd and 21st, respectively, in those categories. While the power play has been middle of the pack, the PK has been brilliant, as they rank 4th after being dead last in the 2024-25 season.

Buffalo has had troubles scoring after being tenth best at that a year ago, though they’ve improved to 17th in goals against/game after being third worst. Like their adversaries, the penalty kill has seen an early remarkable turnaround, as they’re second-best in the NHL.

In this series, Detroit has had their way with Buffalo the last two seasons, taking three straight and six of the last eight duels. Over 6.5 goals has been scored in three of the last four overall battles, but six in a row at Keybank Center.

Red Wings vs Sabres Starting Goalies

The Red Wings have named key offseason acquisition John Gibson their starting netminder. After surrendering five goals in his dreadful team debut, he’s bounced back, with two wins, where he’s allowed just three markers.

The Sabres counter with rookie Colten Ellis, who is set to make his NHL debut. Alex Lyon had started the first six contests with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen injured and unavailable (upper-body). Ellis has save percentages of .924 and .922 the last two seasons with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL). Buffalo swiped him off waivers earlier this month from St. Louis, who was their third-round selection in the 2019 draft.

Red Wings vs Sabres Odds

Detroit is the slimmest -112 moneyline favorite with Buffalo +235 on the puckline after Buffalo opening as the favorites. The Sabres are the -108 underdog, while the total currently sits at 6.5 over at DraftKings.

Odds as of Oct. 22, 2025 at 1:00 pm ET at DraftKings Sportsbook.

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Per the NHL odds, the road squad is a slight favorite in this Red Wings vs Sabres contest. Our SBD formula has Detroit emerging victorious 3.21-2.73. The implied win probability of Detroit at -112 is 52.8%.

Considering Detroit is playing so well and Buffalo is struggling, it’s pretty surprising they’re only a slight favorite. I can’t help but give the edge to the Wings in net, with veteran John Gibson, as it’s the NHL debut for Sabres goalie Colten Ellis.

Perhaps this is a trap game for Detroit, but I’ll take them on the moneyline. The last six meetings between these two combatants in Buffalo has resulted in at least eight goals being scored, so I love the over goal total also.