...
...
Read Article
- More Betting
Wild vs. Sabres prediction: Buffalo favored to win Saturday's NHL matchup [1/17/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get Minnesota Wild vs Buffalo Sabres predictions for NHL Saturday.
The Buffalo Sabres and Minnesota Wild are scheduled to meet in the NHL at KeyBank Center on Saturday, with puck drop at 12:30 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulations, Dimers' proven NHL model gives the Sabres a slight edge with a 53% win probability over the Wild.
This article offers further insights into Saturday's Wild vs. Sabres matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Wild vs. Sabres prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Saturday's NHL game between the Wild and Sabres 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model currently gives the Sabres a 53% chance of defeating the Wild.
According to our model, the Wild (+1.5) have a 68% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of six goals has a 53% chance of going over.
Wild vs. Sabres odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Wild | Sabres |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-235) | -1.5 (+200) |
| Moneyline | +106 | -120 |
| Total | o6 (-120) | u6 (+100) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Wild vs. Sabres 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 | +200 |
| Moneyline | Wild | +106 |
| Total | Over 6 | -120 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Over 6 total goals.
Wild vs. Sabres player props
Who will score a goal in Wild vs. Sabres?
According to our model, Kirill Kaprizov is most likely to score an anytime goal in Wild vs. Sabres.
Our projections give Kaprizov a 48.7% chance of scoring a goal at KeyBank Center, while the star is a 10.6% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Minnesota Wild
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | 48.7% |
| Danila Yurov | 25.6% |
| Mats Zuccarello | 24.2% |
| Ryan Hartman | 22.8% |
| Quinn Hughes | 18.9% |
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 44.2% |
| Alex Tuch | 32.0% |
| Jason Zucker | 25.3% |
| Josh Doan | 23.4% |
| Zach Benson | 22.3% |
First goal scorer predictions
Minnesota Wild
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | 10.6% |
| Mats Zuccarello | 4.4% |
| Danila Yurov | 4.3% |
| Ryan Hartman | 3.9% |
| Vladimir Tarasenko | 3.6% |
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 9.3% |
| Alex Tuch | 6.2% |
| Jason Zucker | 4.9% |
| Josh Doan | 4.5% |
| Zach Benson | 4.0% |
Wild vs. Sabres game-day updates and essential details
Saturday's matchup between the Sabres and Wild at KeyBank Center is scheduled to commence at 12:30 PM ET.
- Who: Minnesota Wild vs. Buffalo Sabres
- Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Time: 12:30 PM ET/9:30AM PT
- Venue: KeyBank Center
Conclusion
We predict the Sabres, with a 53% win probability, will likely beat the Wild on Saturday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Wild vs. Sabres insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Note: Clicking links to our partners may earn us a referral fee. Learn about how we review products and services.
Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
Advertiser disclosure