Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks Picks and Predictions for Monday April 13 2026
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The Buffalo Sabres head to the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, to take on the Chicago Blackhawks on April 13, 2026, at 8:30 PM with coverage on ESPN+. Buffalo enters this matchup as a strong favorite with a moneyline of -218, while Chicago is listed at +180. The puck line is set at Buffalo -1.5 (+114) and Chicago +1.5 (-135), with the total sitting at 6.5 goals. This inter-divisional contest features a Sabres team in strong form against a Blackhawks squad still searching for consistency. For more daily breakdowns across the league, make sure to visit free NHL Picks.
Buffalo’s Strong Run Into Chicago
Buffalo enters this game with an impressive 49-23-8 overall record and a solid 23-13-4 mark on the road. The Sabres have won three of their last five games and are coming off back-to-back victories, including a 5-0 win over Columbus and a 5-3 road win against the New York Rangers. Prior to those wins, they defeated Tampa Bay 4-2 but dropped games against Washington and Ottawa. That recent stretch highlights a team capable of bouncing back quickly and putting together strong offensive performances.
Statistically, Buffalo has been productive on both ends of the ice. They are averaging 3.44 goals per game while allowing 2.95 goals against. The Sabres generate 28.2 shots per game and allow 29.2, which shows a fairly even shot profile. On special teams, Buffalo has scored 48 power-play goals with a 19.9% success rate, while their penalty kill has allowed 41 power-play goals and is operating at 81.7%. They have also contributed 10 short-handed goals, which adds another layer to their overall scoring ability.
One of Buffalo’s key strengths is its ability to generate offense consistently. Averaging well over three goals per game gives them a clear advantage in matchups against teams that struggle defensively, and that scoring depth has been evident in their recent wins.
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Chicago’s Ongoing Struggles at Home
Chicago enters this matchup with a 28-38-14 record and a 13-18-8 mark on home ice. The Blackhawks have gone 2-3 over their last five games and are coming off a 5-3 loss to St. Louis. They also dropped a 7-2 game against Carolina but picked up a 3-2 win at San Jose and a 4-2 win at Seattle. Another loss came against Edmonton, showing a pattern of inconsistency throughout this recent stretch.
Looking at the numbers, Chicago has struggled to keep pace offensively and defensively. They are averaging 2.55 goals per game while allowing 3.29 goals against, which creates a significant gap. The Blackhawks generate 24.7 shots per game and allow 30.2, indicating they are often spending more time defending than attacking. On special teams, Chicago has scored 40 power-play goals with a 17.5% success rate, while allowing 38 power-play goals and maintaining an 83.6% penalty kill. They have also recorded five short-handed goals.
A major weakness for Chicago in this matchup is their defensive performance. Allowing over three goals per game and giving up more than 30 shots per contest puts them in a difficult position, especially against a Buffalo team that can capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks Picks and Prediction
Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks Pick
Pick: Buffalo Sabres -1.5
Buffalo holds clear advantages in overall record, offensive production, and defensive performance. With a goals-per-game average of 3.44 compared to Chicago’s 2.55, along with a lower goals-against average, the Sabres are better positioned on both ends of the ice. Chicago’s struggles with shot suppression and scoring consistency further tilt the matchup in Buffalo’s favor. Given those factors, backing Buffalo to cover the puck line is the stronger play.
Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks Total Pick
Pick: Over 6.5
I’m going with the over 6.5 in this game because Buffalo’s offensive production combined with Chicago’s defensive struggles creates a strong case for a higher-scoring contest. The Blackhawks are allowing 3.29 goals per game, and Buffalo has shown the ability to generate multiple goals consistently. Even if Chicago contributes modestly, this total feels within reach based on the numbers.
Final Score Prediction: Buffalo Sabres 5 – Chicago Blackhawks 2
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Sunday.
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