Dean Etheridge
The high flying Winnipeg Jets visit New York on Thursday to face the Buffalo Sabres. The KeyBank Center is the venue, and here we look ahead to the match with our free NHL betting picks.
- What; NHL
- Who; Buffalo Sabres vs Winnipeg Jets
- Where; KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
- When; Thursday, January 12th, 2023
- Puck Drop; 7 pm ET
Both of these teams have been in decent form over the christmas and new year period. But both have suffered recent setbacks. Following a run of eight wins in nine games, the Sabres have lost their last two. While the Jets five match winning run was brought to an abrupt end away to the Red Wings on Tuesday night. .
NHL Futures Betting
The Sabres good run saw them climb as high as fourth in the Atlantic Division. They are still some distance behind the three leaders though, and this is reflected in the divisional futures betting markets.
In the betting to win the Atlantic Division, the – miles clear – Bruins are just -600. Next is the Maple Leafs at +450, and then it’s the Tampa Bay Lightning at +1400, with the Florida Panthers at +12500. The Sabres are a massive +25000.
The best NHL betting sites make the Winnipeg Jets second favorites at +290 to win the Central Division. The favorites are the Dallas Stars at +125. The Colorado Avalanche (+425) and Minnesota Wild (+500) are next.
In conference futures the Sabres are +5000 to win the Eastern Conference, with the Jets at just +1000 to win the Western Conference.
Finally, in the betting to win the Stanley Cup in 2023, the best betting sites have the Jets at +3500, and the Sabres at +10000. These odds are all provided by Bovada, who you can read more about in our Bovada sportsbook review. For more Stanley Cup betting, please check out our odds table below.
| Stanley Cup Winner Betting for 2023 |  |  |  |
| Boston Bruins | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +650 | +650 | +650 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +750 | +750 | +750 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +900 | +900 | +850 |
| New Jersey Devils | +1200 | +1200 | +1150 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1400 | +1300 | +1200 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1600 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Florida Panthers | +1800 | +1800 | +1700 |
| Calgary Flames | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| New York Rangers | +2200 | +1900 | +2000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +2200 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Dallas Stars | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Seattle Kraken | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
Back to back defeats for the Sabres
In the lead up to Christmas, the Sabres really hit their straps and were a team on a real mission. Their excellent run included wins away at the Avalanche (4-2), the Golden Knights (3-2), and just before the year was out they even had the nerve to win 4-3 away to the Boston Bruins (overtime was required).
SInce the win over the Bruins, the Sabres have lost three of their last five. Two of the defeats came in their last two matches. A disappointing 4-0 home defeat to the Flyers on Monday, followed by a close 4-3 loss to the Kraken on Tuesday – also at home.
#SeaKraken WWWWWin!!! pic.twitter.com/6QIzSf4ccq
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) January 11, 2023
The defeat to the Kraken has to be put into perspective though. Seattle has been charging up the Pacific Division lately. So to only lose narrowly to them is no disgrace.
Red Wings end Jets winning run
As for the Winnipeg Jets, they’ve just seen a five match winning run that propelled them to second in the Central Division come to an abrupt end at the hands of the Red Wings.
Winning numbers. 📊 pic.twitter.com/mQdkRJYqhC
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 11, 2023
Before the 7-5 loss in Detroit on Tuesday the Jets had beaten Canucks (7-4), the Lightning (4-2), the Flames (3-2), the Oilers (2-1), and the Canucks (4-2).
In their last ten matches Rick Bowness’ team have a 6-4-0 record. They sit a comfortable second in the Central Division, just behind the Dallas Stars, and a handful of points clear of the Minnesota Wild, in third position.
Sabres vs Jets Betting
This is a real close one in the betting, and it’s easy to see why. On the moneyline the best NHL betting sites make the Jets favorites at -125. The Sabres are +113.
Compare that to the odds earlier in the week, and the Sabres were the favorites at -113 in their match against the Kraken on Tuesday (the Kraken were +102).
This suggests that maybe the bookmakers underestimated the Kraken? Or it could be recognition that either the Jets are a better side, or the Sabres form has dipped?
Moving onto the handicap market, and the Sabres with a +1.5 goals start are -225 favorites. The Jets (-1.5) are +195. On the total points market, over 6.5 is -116, with under 6.5 goals at +105.
Our Free NHL Betting Picks on Sabres vs Jets
For me, I feel that the Sabres have just dipped in form a little over the past few games. They needed overtime to beat both the Capitals and the Wild. They then lost 4-0 at home to the Flyers, and then 4-3 to the Kraken.
As for the Jets, they will be alarmed to let in seven against the Red Wings. But they let goals in against everyone.
I do feel that the Jets will bounce back in this match though. And I make them my betting pick to win at -125 on the moneyline.
Elsewhere, and in the total points betting, there can surely only be one outcome, can’t there? This is the Jets, they’re matches have goals a plenty at both ends. Over 6.5 is -116, and although that’s not great value, I’m struggling to find any reason to back under.
