...
...
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 will take on the Minnesota Wild, in what is expected to be a close NHL game, at KeyBank Center on Saturday, commencing at 12:30 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' advanced 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 innovative machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Saturday's NHL matchup between the Wild and Sabres 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model currently gives the Sabres a 53% chance of defeating the Wild.
According to our model, the Wild (+1.5) have a 69% chance of covering the puck line, while the 6-goal over/under 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 | +105 | -120 |
| Total | o6 (-130) | 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 probabilities 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 | Wild +1.5 | -235 |
| Moneyline | Wild | +105 |
| Total | Under 6 | +100 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Wild to win.
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 51.6% chance of scoring a goal at KeyBank Center, while the star is an 11.6% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Minnesota Wild
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | 51.6% |
| Danila Yurov | 27.0% |
| Ryan Hartman | 25.4% |
| Mats Zuccarello | 23.8% |
| Quinn Hughes | 21.2% |
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 43.5% |
| Alex Tuch | 31.8% |
| Jason Zucker | 26.3% |
| Josh Doan | 22.1% |
| Zach Benson | 21.6% |
First goal scorer predictions
Minnesota Wild
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | 11.6% |
| Danila Yurov | 5.0% |
| Mats Zuccarello | 4.9% |
| Ryan Hartman | 4.2% |
| Vladimir Tarasenko | 4.0% |
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 8.5% |
| Alex Tuch | 6.4% |
| Jason Zucker | 4.7% |
| Zach Benson | 4.0% |
| Jack Quinn | 3.8% |
Wild vs. Sabres game-day updates and essential details
Saturday's action 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 based on the latest 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