Florida Panthers vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 10/12/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Florida Panthers vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Monday, October 12, 2026

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: Scripps Sports Local, MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Panthers (-113) Sabres (-105)

The Buffalo Sabres (2-3-0) are welcoming the Florida Panthers (2-1-2) at KeyBank Center on Monday. The line on this contest has Florida at -113 while Buffalo is at -105. The over/under has been set at 6.

The Florida Panthers were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 4-1 loss against the Wild in their previous outing. Florida accrued 25 penalty minutes for this matchup. The Panthers didn't have their best offensive outing in the loss. Moreover, they had 5 chances with the advantage but weren't able to score. For the game, they converted 1 of the 30 shots they put on goal.

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In reference to their goal scoring prowess, the Florida Panthers have earned 9 goals (30th in hockey) on the year and have given up 12. For the current season, they have tallied 6 points and their points % is .600. Florida has 28 power play opportunities and they have tallied 1 goal out of those chances, giving them a rate of 3.57%. When playing at even strength, the Panthers let the opposition score 7 goals while notching 8 on the offensive side of the ice. Florida has attempted 137 shots and has a shooting percentage of 6.6%. The Panthers have seen 116 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .897. Florida Panthers opponents have tallied 22 power play opportunities (5th in hockey) and have tallied 5 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is Jacob Markstrom. Markstrom has participated in 582 contests over the course of his NHL career. He has a mark of 266-232-65 and he has started in 564 games. Opponents have racked up 1,523 goals versus Markstrom in his pro career and his goals against average is 2.70. Markstrom has had 16,302 shots taken against him and has recorded 14,779 total saves. His save percentage currently is at .907 for his 799,234 mins between the pipes. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Markstrom has earned 295 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .523.

In their last contest, Buffalo played the Mammoth in a matchup where the Sabres were on the wrong end of the score by a final score of 4-1. They had 4 power play chances in this outing and earned 1 out of those tries. The Sabres had 1 goal of the 24 shots on goal they tried.

For the year, the Buffalo Sabres have tallied 11 goals, 4 points, as well as a points percentage of .400. They have permitted 19 goals to be scored by way of 13 goals at even strength and 6 goals while they were shorthanded. The Sabres have accumulated 10 goals at even strength and 1 goal (31st in the NHL) while having a power play advantage. They have a total of 17 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 5.88%. Buffalo has put up 132 shots (18th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 8.33%, while allowing their opponents 106 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 62.50% on the other teams 16 power play tries, and their save percentage is 82.1%.

Across the ice you will find Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen between the pipes. The opposition is averaging 2.93 goals per game and he has yielded 550 goals overall. Luukkonen's quality start rate comes out to 54.3% and he has 102 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has started in 188 games and has played for a total of 10,918 mins. Luukkonen has a career mark of 94-76-18 and has been in goal for 193 games. He has tallied 4,877 saves out of the 5,425 shots taken, giving him a save percentage of .899.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Florida (-113)

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