Buffalo Sabres vs Colorado Avalanche: Game preview, predictions and odds | January 2, 2025

The Buffalo Sabres are on the road to play the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET. Buffalo (14-20-4) suffered a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars last time out, while Colorado (23-15) is coming off a 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets.

Sabres vs Avalanche: Head-to-head & key stats

• Buffalo is 64-66-20-4 all-time against Colorado
• The Sabres are averaging 3.02 goals per game
• The Avalanche are 10-8 at home
• Buffalo is allowing 3.34 goals per game
• Colorado is averaging 3.39 goals per game
• The Sabres are 7-10-1 on the road
• The Avalanche are allowing 3.23 goals per game

Buffalo Sabres vs Colorado Avalanche: Preview

Buffalo is 3-1 in its last four after its 13-game losing streak. The Sabres are led by Tage Thompson with 30 points. Alex Tuch has 28 points, Rasmus Dahlin has 26 points, JJ Peterka has 26 points and Jason Zucker has 26.

The Sabres will start Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who's 11-12-3 with a 2.95 GAA and a .898 SV%. In his career against Colorado, he's 2-3 with a 3.42 GAA and a .898 SV%.

Colorado, meanwhile, is on a five-game winning streak. The Avalanche will start Mackenzie Blackwood, who's 5-1 with a 1.85 GAA and a .936 SV% since being acquired by Colorado. In his career against Buffalo, he's 3-4 with a 3.42 GAA and a .890 SV%.

The Avalanche are led by Nathan MacKinnon, who has 61 points, while Mikko Rantanen has 54 points, Cale Makar has 46 points and Casey Mittelstadt has 24.

Sabres vs Avalanche: Odds & Prediction

Buffalo is a +190 underdog, while Colorado is a -230 favorite with the over/under set at 6.5 goals.

The Sabres are playing well since their 13-game losing streak, but this is a tough spot for Buffalo here.

Since being traded to Colorado, Blackwood has been stellar in goal and should continue his success against Buffalo's offense, which has had its struggles. Meanwhile, Colorado is a tough spot to play, as the Avs should be able to cruise to a big win here.

Prediction: Avalanche 4, Sabres 2.

Sabres vs Avalanche: Betting Tips

Tip 1: Colorado -1.5 (+114)

Tip 2: Under 6.5 goals (-118)

Tip 3: Ross Colton 1+ points (+110)

Tip 4: Nathan MacKinnon 4+ shots on goal (-130)