Anaheim Ducks vs Buffalo Sabres Pick and Prediction for Saturday January 10 2026
The Anaheim Ducks visit KeyBank Center to take on the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, January 10, 2026. This 7:00 PM EST matchup, airing on ESPN+, finds two teams in vastly different forms: Buffalo has won 11 of their last 12 games, while Anaheim is mired in a five-game losing streak. For expert analysis and daily wagering insights on the full slate of NHL action, be sure to check out the latest free NHL picks over at Winners and Whiners.
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Anaheim Ducks: Offensive Leader Sidelined
The Ducks (21-20-3) are struggling to keep the puck out of their net, allowing 3.67 goals per game, the second-highest mark in the league. Their challenges grew on Thursday when leading scorer Troy Terry (42 points) missed his first game of the season with an upper-body injury. Coach Joel Quenneville described the injury as "brief," but Terry is officially listed as OUT for tonight's contest.
In his absence, rookie Leo Carlsson (42 points) and Cutter Gauthier (20 goals) must carry the offensive load. The Ducks are also without veteran winger Frank Vatrano, who is on IR until February. Lukas Dostal is the projected starter in goal; he has been under siege lately, facing an average of 34 shots over his last five starts.
Buffalo Sabres: Atlantic Division Surge
The Sabres (23-15-4) are one of the hottest teams in the NHL, fresh off a dominant 5-2 road win against the Rangers. Tage Thompson leads the attack with 21 goals, and Rasmus Dahlin continues to anchor the blue line with 25 assists. Buffalo’s home-ice advantage has been significant this season, where they hold a 13-5-2 record.
Buffalo’s goaltending situation is stabilized by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is expected to return to the crease tonight after Colten Ellis earned a victory in New York. While Alex Lyon remains on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury, Luukkonen’s 2.61 GAA has been more than enough to support Buffalo’s high-scoring offense (3.10 GF/G).
Anaheim Ducks vs. Buffalo Sabres Prediction
The Ducks are reeling, having lost five straight and now missing their top playmaker in Terry. Buffalo is playing high-tempo, confident hockey and has the defensive structure (84.8% PK) to neutralize Anaheim’s power play.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Buffalo Sabres ATS Pick
- Pick: Buffalo Sabres -1.5 (+115)
Buffalo has been covering spreads with ease during this 11-1 stretch, often winning by multiple goals. Anaheim's defensive lapses are a major concern, especially against a Buffalo team that excels at transition scoring. Without Terry to push back offensively, the Ducks will likely struggle to keep pace. Expect the Sabres to pull away late and secure a comfortable home win.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Buffalo Sabres Total Pick
- Pick: Over 6.5 (+100)
Trends heavily favor the over in this matchup. Anaheim has seen the Over hit in four of their last five games, largely due to their league-worst goals-against average. Buffalo's offense is firing on all cylinders, and even with Terry out, Anaheim’s young stars like Carlsson and Gauthier are capable of chipping in a goal or two to help push this total past 6.5.
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