Nashville Predators vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 3/7/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Nashville Predators vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

KeyBank Center is where the Buffalo Sabres (36-19-6) will compete against the Nashville Predators (27-26-8) on Saturday.

The Nashville Predators will look to clean up some issues after taking a 3-2 loss against the Blue Jackets in their last outing. The Predators didn't have their best offensive outing in the loss. For the game, they tallied a score on 2 out of the 25 shots they put on net. In addition, they had 2 chances with extra men on the ice and scored 1 goal. Nashville recorded 8 penalty minutes in this game.

Nashville Predators opponents have recorded 184 power play opportunities (11th in professional hockey) and have come away with 36 goals in those attempts. The Predators so far have had 1,784 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .882. Nashville has tried 1,737 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.1%. While playing at even strength, the Predators have surrendered 174 goals while getting 135 as an offensive unit. Nashville comes into the game with 179 power play chances and they have added 41 goals out of those tries, giving them a percentage of 22.91%. For the season, the have a total of 62 points and their points percentage comes in at .508. When discussing their scoring, the Nashville Predators have racked up 176 goals (22nd in pro hockey) this year and have given up 210.

The man in goal for this game is Juuse Saros. Saros has participated in 454 games throughout his pro hockey career. He has earned a record of 223-168-44 and he has gotten the start in 437 games. The opposition has been able to score 1,185 goals against Saros in his pro career and his goals against average per contest is 2.71. Saros has had 13,472 shots against him and has accrued 12,287 total saves. He has a save percentage of .912 for his 21,734 mins on the ice. Over the course of his pro career, Saros has 253 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .579.

In their last game, Buffalo faced the Golden Knights in a game where the Sabres got the victory by a score of 3-2. They had 1 power play chance in this one but weren't able to score a goal. The Sabres recorded 3 goals of the 28 shots on goal they were seeking.

Buffalo has put up 1,707 shots (17th in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 12.07%, while allowing the other team 1,837 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 82.93% on their opponents 164 power play chances, and their save percentage currently sits at 90.0%. They have a total of 181 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 19.89%. The Sabres have 170 goals at even strength and 36 goals (16th in the league) while having a power play advantage. They have granted a total of 183 goals to be scored by way of 155 goals at even strength and 28 goals while they were shorthanded. Over the course of the season, the Buffalo Sabres have earned a total of 206 goals, 78 points, in addition to a points percentage of .639.

Across the ice you are going to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in net. Luukkonen has earned a career mark of 84-72-17 and has been in goal for 178 games. Luukkonen's quality start percentage sits at 54.3% and he has accumulated 94 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has accrued 4,548 saves out of the 5,058 shots taken, which gives him a rate of .899. Opponents are averaging 2.95 goals/game and he has given up 510 goals in total. He has made the start in 173 games and has played 8,269 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Nashville

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