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Sabres vs. Sharks prediction: Buffalo favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [3/19/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Buffalo Sabres vs San Jose Sharks predictions for NHL Thursday.
The San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres will lock horns in the NHL at SAP Center at San Jose on Thursday, starting at 10:00 PM ET.
Based on updated simulation results, Dimers' proven NHL model predicts the Sabres as the most likely winner of the Sabres vs. Sharks game.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Thursday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Sabres vs. Sharks prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NHL matchup between the Sabres and Sharks 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model currently gives the Sabres a 57% chance of defeating the Sharks.
According to our model, the Sharks (+1.5) have a 64% chance of covering the puck line, while the 6.5-goal over/under has an equal 50-50 chance of hitting.
Sabres vs. Sharks odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Sabres | Sharks |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | -1.5 (+165) | +1.5 (-196) |
| Moneyline | -140 | +122 |
| Total | o6.5 (-135) | u6.5 (+114) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Sabres vs. Sharks picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Sabres -1.5 | +165 |
| Moneyline | Sabres | -140 |
| Total | Under 6.5 | +114 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 6.5 total goals.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Sabres vs. Sharks player props
Who will score a goal in Sabres vs. Sharks?
According to our model, Tage Thompson is most likely to score an anytime goal in Sabres vs. Sharks.
Our projections give Thompson a 42.1% chance of scoring a goal at SAP Center at San Jose, while the star is an 8.6% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 42.1% |
| Alex Tuch | 34.5% |
| Josh Norris | 30.6% |
| Jason Zucker | 27.4% |
| Rasmus Dahlin | 23.4% |
San Jose Sharks
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Macklin Celebrini | 42.0% |
| Will Smith | 28.6% |
| Tyler Toffoli | 26.8% |
| Kiefer Sherwood | 23.4% |
| William Eklund | 20.8% |
First goal scorer predictions
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 8.6% |
| Alex Tuch | 6.4% |
| Josh Norris | 4.9% |
| Jason Zucker | 4.5% |
| Rasmus Dahlin | 3.8% |
San Jose Sharks
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Macklin Celebrini | 8.3% |
| Tyler Toffoli | 4.8% |
| Will Smith | 4.6% |
| Kiefer Sherwood | 4.3% |
| Adam Gaudette | 3.6% |
Sabres vs. Sharks game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's matchup between the Sharks and Sabres at SAP Center at San Jose is scheduled to begin at 10:00 PM ET.
- Who: Buffalo Sabres vs. San Jose Sharks
- Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026
- Time: 10:00 PM ET/7:00PM PT
- Venue: SAP Center at San Jose
Conclusion
We predict the Sabres, with a 57% win probability, will likely beat the Sharks on Thursday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Sabres vs. Sharks insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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