Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, 4/13/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Monday, April 13, 2026

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: Chicago Sports Network

The Buffalo Sabres (49-23-8) are en route to United Center on Monday where they will try to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks (28-37-14).

The Buffalo Sabres went home feeling good about their game by earning a 5-0 win against the Blue Jackets their last time on the ice. The Sabres had a great offensive game plan going into this one and it showed in the win. While out there on the ice, they converted 5 of the 24 shots they put on net. They also had 2 chances on the power play but weren't able to score. Buffalo amassed 8 penalty mins in this contest.

At even strength, the Sabres have conceded 195 goals while having 227 themselves. Buffalo Sabres opponents have recorded 224 power play opportunities (18th in the league) and have racked up 41 goals in those chances. With regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Buffalo Sabres have accumulated 275 goals (5th in hockey) over the course of the season and have surrendered 236. Buffalo has attempted 2,257 shots and has a shooting percentage of 12.2%. For the season, they have tallied 106 points and their points percentage sits at .663. The Sabres have had 2,337 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .899. Buffalo is sitting with 241 power play chances and they have notched 48 goals out of those advantages, giving them a percentage of 19.92%.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. In his career, Luukkonen has accounted for 101 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .549. His save percentage sits at .900 during his 8,297 minutes played. Luukkonen has seen 5,352 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 4,815 saves. Opponents have been able to score 537 goals against Luukkonen in his career and his goals against rate is 2.92. He has an overall record of 92-74-18 and he was named the starter in 184 games. Luukkonen has participated in 189 games over the course of his NHL career.

The last time they were on the ice, Chicago played the Hurricanes in a matchup where the Blackhawks went home in defeat by a final score of 7-2. They had 4 power play attempts in this contest but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Blackhawks tallied 2 goals of the 25 shots on goal they tried.

So far this year, the Chicago Blackhawks have earned a total of 201 goals, 70 points, in addition to a points percentage of .443. They have allowed 258 goals to be scored by of a combination of 221 goals at even strength and 37 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Blackhawks have earned 161 goals at even strength and 40 goals (26th in the league) while having more men on the ice. They have earned 226 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 17.70%. Chicago has put up 1,941 shots (32nd in the NHL) and has a shot percentage of 10.36%, while allowing the other team 2,386 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 83.98% on their opponents 231 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 89.2%.

Across the rink you are expected to see Spencer Knight in net. Knight has compiled a lifetime mark of 67-57-20 and has played in 148 games. Knight's quality start percentage comes out to 52.2% and he has qualified for 72 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. He has accounted for 3,753 stops out of 4,152 shots taken against him, which gives him a rate of .904. Opponents are averaging 2.89 goals per contest and he has yielded 399 goals in total. He got the starting nod in 138 contests and has played for a total of 5,167 minutes.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo

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