Chicago Blackhawks at Buffalo Sabres, ppd.

Jan 16, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Rem Pitlick (20) scores past San Jose Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (29) during the overtime period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Update 3:44 p.m. ET: Wednesday’s game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres has been postponed and moved to Thursday (7 p.m. ET) due to travel restrictions in western New York for extreme winter weather.

Original column below (published 9:06 a.m. ET)

The Chicago Blackhawks (13-29-2) and Buffalo Sabres (19-21-4) tussle Wednesday in Western New York. The opening faceoff at KeyBank Center is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Blackhawks vs. Sabres odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Chicago is playing for a 2nd straight night; it hosted the San Jose Sharks in a Tuesday game that likely had more draft-position ramifications than anything else. The Blackhawks topped the Sharks 2-1 in a shootout.

The Sabres last played Monday when they blanked the Sharks 3-0. Buffalo is thus far 2-2-0 on what will finish as a 6-game home stand by Saturday. The Sabres have allowed just 1.83 goals per game over their last 6 contests.

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Blackhawks at Sabres odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline: Blackhawks +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Sabres -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
• Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blackhawks +1.5 (-110) | Sabres -1.5 (-110)
• Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Blackhawks at Sabres projected goalies

Arvid Soderblom (2-13-1, 4.01 GAA, .875 SV%) vs. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (10-9-2, 2.77 GAA, .906 SV%, 2 SO)

Soderblom is expected to be in net for the 1st time since Jan. 5. He has lost 8 straight decisions (0-7-1) and owns an .866 SV% over that span.

Luukkonen played Monday, stopping 28 of 28 against the Sharks. In 4 games this month, he has registered a .958 SV%.

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Blackhawks at Sabres picks and predictions

Prediction

Sabres 4, Blackhawks 3

Moneyline

Chicago is 0-7-0 (with a GAA of 4.14) in the back half of doubles. But the Blackhawks are the value side of this one.

Buffalo has won back-to-back games just once since Nov. 1. Chicago has won back-to-back games just once all season. The ‘Hawks have been woeful on offense, but compared to their expected-goals figures at both ends, they are getting squeezed a bit and are worthy of a shot here. Especially against a Buffalo club that maybe shouldn’t have this minus-money against anybody.

BACK THE BLACKHAWKS (+240).

Puck line/Against the spread

Chicago has logged some feisty games against good competition of late. The ‘Hawks have gotten healthier on the blue line recently and have been yielding fewer scoring chances in their own end.

Some bettors may want to consider a hedge on the above ML action by going in with a half-unit there and a half-unit on CHICAGO +1.5 (-110).

Over/Under

Both sides have some Over-leaning regression-due indicators with high-danger shot percentages. But Chicago’s offense is bottom 10% in the league and often can’t be counted on for more than a goal. PASS.

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This article originally appeared on USA Today Sportsbookwire: Chicago Blackhawks at Buffalo Sabres, ppd.