Buffalo Sabres vs Edmonton Oilers Prediction and Picks - December 9, 2025
Inter-Conference NHL action on Tuesday evening, and we have a Buffalo Sabres vs Edmonton Oilers Prediction ready to roll for you. Buffalo enters this game off a 7-4 loss to Calgary on the road to fall to 11-18 on the year. The Oilers are off a 6-2 home win over the Jets to move to 13-16 on the season. Buffalo won the first meeting at home by a score of 5-1. Read on to see our Sabres vs Oilers prediction.
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Goaltending Struggles In Loss To The Flames
Buffalo’s most recent game was a 7–4 loss to the Calgary Flames on December 8, where Yegor Sharangovich scored twice and Nazem Kadri added a goal and two assists to pace Calgary. The Sabres got goals from Tage Thompson, Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin, and Alex Tuch, but Ukko‑Pekka Luukkonen was pulled after allowing five goals on 22 shots through two periods. It was Buffalo’s third straight defeat to open a six‑game road trip, and they’ve been outscored 16–7 in that stretch.
Offensively, Buffalo averages 3.0 goals per game (19th) and fires 29.0 shots per game (11th), showing they can generate volume but often struggle to finish. Thompson leads the team with 13 goals, while Tuch and Dahlin provide secondary scoring. Their power play sits at 19.1% (13th), respectable but not elite, and faceoffs remain a glaring weakness at 44.0% (last in the NHL). Josh Norris has been a bright spot since returning from injury, recording points in four straight games, but the Sabres need more consistency from their top six.
Defensively, Buffalo has been one of the league’s worst, allowing 3.6 goals per game (30th) and ranking 26th in shots against (29.9 per game). Their penalty kill has been excellent at 85.5% (3rd), but the overall structure breaks down too often, leaving Luukkonen and Alex Lyon exposed. With three shutouts this season, the goaltending has shown flashes, yet the inconsistency has cost them. Against Edmonton’s high‑powered attack, Buffalo’s defense will be under immense pressure to hold up.
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Oilers Ground The Jets At Home
Edmonton’s most recent game was a 6–2 win over the Winnipeg Jets on December 6, where Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard each had a goal and an assist, and Connor McDavid added two helpers. The Oilers exploded for four goals in the first period, chasing Jets goalie Eric Comrie, and Stuart Skinner made 19 saves to secure the victory. It was Edmonton’s third win in four games, improving them to 13‑11‑5 and showing signs of turning the corner after a slow start.
Offensively, Edmonton averages 3.2 goals per game (8th) and generates 28.5 shots per game (15th). Their power play is lethal at 32.4% (2nd in NHL), driven by McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard. McDavid leads the team with 36 points, while Draisaitl has 31, and Ryan Nugent‑Hopkins continues to provide secondary scoring. Faceoffs are a strength at 52.6% (6th), giving them a possession edge that fuels their attack. Depth scoring has started to emerge, with Curtis Lazar and David Tomasek contributing in recent games, which makes the Oilers even more dangerous.
Defensively, Edmonton allows 3.5 goals per game (30th), ranking near the bottom, but they’ve tightened up recently. Skinner has allowed just three goals on 71 shots over his last three starts, posting a .958 save percentage in that span. The Oilers limit opponents to 26.7 shots per game (9th), showing their structure is improving, though the penalty kill remains vulnerable at 79.2% (23rd). Against Buffalo, Edmonton’s challenge will be maintaining defensive discipline while letting their stars dictate play. With their offense clicking, the Oilers look poised to capitalize on Buffalo’s defensive struggles.
Buffalo Sabres vs Edmonton Oilers Pick
Sabres vs Oilers Moneyline Pick
- Edmonton -1.5 (5 Units)
Edmonton looks like the right side to back here, especially with how their offense has been clicking. Their most recent outing was a 6–2 win over Winnipeg on December 6, where Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard each had a goal and an assist, and Connor McDavid added two helpers. The Oilers exploded for four goals in the first period, chasing Jets goalie Eric Comrie, and Stuart Skinner turned aside 19 shots to secure the victory. For the season, Edmonton averages 3.2 goals per game (8th) and owns the NHL’s 2nd‑ranked power play at 32.4%, a lethal weapon against any opponent. With McDavid and Draisaitl driving the attack, and secondary scoring beginning to emerge, Edmonton has the firepower to overwhelm Buffalo’s shaky defense.
Buffalo, meanwhile, is coming off a 7–4 loss to Calgary on December 8, where Ukko‑Pekka Luukkonen was pulled after allowing five goals on 22 shots. The Sabres have now dropped three straight and continue to struggle defensively, allowing 3.6 goals per game (30th) despite ranking 3rd in penalty kill at 85.5%. Their offense averages 3.0 goals per game, but faceoffs remain a glaring weakness (44.0%, last in the NHL) and their inconsistency has been costly. Against Edmonton’s relentless attack, Buffalo’s defensive lapses are likely to be exposed again, making the Oilers a strong play to not only win but cover the -1.5 puck line.
Sabres vs Oilers Over/Under Pick
- Over 6.5 (5 Units)
The Over 6.5 feels like the right angle in Sabres–Oilers, especially with how Edmonton has been lighting it up. Their most recent outing was a 6–2 win over Winnipeg on December 6, following a 9–3 blowout of Calgary on December 4, giving them 15 goals across their last two games. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been driving the attack, and the Oilers’ power play sits at 32.4% (2nd in NHL), making them lethal with the man advantage. Buffalo, meanwhile, just dropped a 7–4 game to Calgary on December 8, and their defense has been one of the league’s worst, allowing 3.6 goals per game (30th) despite a strong penalty kill. With both teams capable of scoring but struggling defensively — Edmonton allowing 3.5 goals per game and Buffalo not far behind — this matchup sets up perfectly for a high‑event game that clears the 6.5 total.
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