Chicago Blackhawks vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 10/3/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: Chicago Sports Network, MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Blackhawks (+191) Sabres (-215)

The Buffalo Sabres host the Chicago Blackhawks at KeyBank Center on Saturday. The moneyline on this contest has the Blackhawks at +191 and the Sabres are coming in at -215. The total is 6.5.

The Chicago Blackhawks were on the losing side of the ice with a 6-0 defeat against the Mammoth in their previous outing. Chicago tallied 13 mins in the box in this matchup. The Blackhawks had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in the defeat. In addition, they had 3 chances with extra men on the ice but weren't able to score. In the game, they walked away having not converted any of the 15 shots they attempted.

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With respect to their scoring, the Chicago Blackhawks tallied 210 goals (30th in hockey) for the previous season and given up 270. For the year, they racked up 72 points and their points percentage was at .439. Chicago wrapped up the season with 236 power play opportunities and notched 40 goals out of those attempts, earning them a percentage of 16.95%. While playing at even strength, the Blackhawks gave up 231 goals while getting 170. Chicago attempted 2,015 shots and were the owners of a shot percentage of 10.4%. The Blackhawks had 2,457 shots taken against them and held a save percentage of .890. Chicago Blackhawks opponents had 238 power play opportunities (15th in the NHL) and came away with 39 goals in those chances.

The man in net for this game is Spencer Knight. Opponents have notched 410 goals versus Knight in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.91. Knight has participated in 151 games during his professional hockey career. His save percentage currently is at .903 during his 361 mins in the crease. He has earned a mark of 68-59-20 and he has started in 141 games. In his career, Knight has accumulated 72 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .511. Knight has had 4,231 shots against him and has recorded 3,821 saves.

In their last game, Buffalo squared up with the Blue Jackets in a game where the Sabres took the loss by a mark of 6-3. The Sabres had 3 goals out of the 26 shots on goal they tried. They had 5 attempts on the power play in this matchup but weren't able to notch a goal.

Last season, the Buffalo Sabres earned a total of 283 goals, 109 points, and a points percentage of .665. They allowed 240 goals to be scored by of a combination of 198 goals at even strength and 42 goals while they were shorthanded. The Sabres tallied 235 goals at even strength and 48 goals (18th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. They had a tally of 246 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 19.51%. Buffalo put up 2,307 shots (13th in hockey) and accumulated a shooting percentage of 12.27%, while allowing the other team 2,381 shots. They earned a penalty kill rate of 81.90% on their opposition's 232 power play tries, and their save percentage was at 89.9%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen defending the goal. He has compiled 4,847 saves out of 5,390 shots tried, which gives him a rate of .899. Luukkonen is the owner of a career mark of 93-75-18 and has been in goal for 191 games. He has started in 186 contests and has played for a total of 10,913 mins. Luukkonen's quality start percentage comes out to 54.8% and he has qualified for 102 quality starting assignments in his career. Opponents are averaging 2.92 goals per game and he has surrendered 543 goals altogether.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Buffalo (-215)

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