Buffalo Sabres vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, 1/19/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Carolina Hurricanes

Date: Monday, January 19, 2026

Location: PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

PNC Arena is where the Carolina Hurricanes (28-15-4) will take on the Buffalo Sabres (26-16-4) on Monday.

The Buffalo Sabres were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 5-3 win against the Canadiens their last time on the ice. The Sabres had a impressive offensive outing in the win. In the matchup, they finished 5 of the 27 shots they tried. They also had 4 opportunities with more players on the ice and were able to notch 2 goals. Buffalo recorded 10 penalty mins in this outing.

Buffalo Sabres opponents have totaled 126 power play tries (26th in professional hockey) and have scored 21 goals in those chances. The Sabres so far have had 1,355 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .894. Buffalo has attempted 1,286 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.7%. When at even strength, the Sabres have surrendered 122 goals while earning 123 of their own. Buffalo has compiled 139 power play opportunities and they have scored 27 goals during those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 19.42%. For the current campaign, they have racked up 56 points and their points percentage sits at .609. In the matter of their goal scoring prowess, the Buffalo Sabres have accumulated 150 goals (11th in the National Hockey League) for the year and have given up 143.

The man in net for this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Opponents have scored 496 goals versus Luukkonen in his pro career and his goals against rate is 2.97. Luukkonen has played in 172 contests over the course of his pro hockey career. His save percentage sits at .899 in his 8,256 minutes between the pipes. He has earned an overall mark of 81-71-16 and was named the starter in 167 games. During his career on the ice, Luukkonen has accrued 90 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .539. Luukkonen has seen 4,889 shots against him and has recorded 4,393 total saves.

Their last time out, Carolina squared up with the Blues in a game where the Hurricanes ended up taking the loss by a tally of 3-0. They had 3 power play opportunities in this matchup but didn't score a goal. The Hurricanes earned 0 goals of the 33 shots on goal they attempted.

The Hurricanes have accumulated 126 goals at even strength and 28 goals (16th in pro hockey) while on the power play. Carolina has attempted 1,518 shots (2nd in the league) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.14%, while allowing their opponents 1,143 shots. For the season, the Carolina Hurricanes have tallied 154 goals, 60 points, in addition to a points percentage of .638. They have permitted 140 goals to be scored by of a combination of 112 goals at even strength and 28 goals while they were shorthanded. They have earned 143 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play rate of 19.58%. They have a penalty kill rate of 78.79% on their opponents 132 power play opportunities, and their save percentage sits at 87.8%.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Brandon Bussi in goal. His opponents are averaging 2.35 goals per game and he has yielded 47 goals altogether. Bussi's quality start percentage comes in at 65.0% and he has 13 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has been a starter 20 contests and has been on the ice for 51 minutes. Bussi is sitting with a lifetime record of 16-3-1 and has participated in 20 contests. He has accounted for 432 stops out of the 479 shots attempted against him, giving him a rate of .902.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo

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