San Jose Sharks vs Buffalo Sabres 28 October 2026 Prediction

After a long road trip, the San Jose Sharks return home to face the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo has yet to match last season’s level and enters this game on a losing streak. San Jose has made the better start, although the Sharks also lost their most recent game. The hosts will look to take advantage of the Sabres’ poor form on home ice.

The Sharks Have Made a Solid Start

Ryan Warsofsky’s team has produced some encouraging results lately. San Jose earned road wins over the Montreal Canadiens, 4-3 in overtime, and the Ottawa Senators, 6-2. The Sharks then lost 6-4 at Boston. Dmitry Orlov gave San Jose a 3-2 lead early in the third period, but the Sharks allowed three goals in four minutes.

San Jose scored twice on the power play and added a shorthanded goal against the Bruins. The Sharks have 13 points through 12 games and sit in the middle of the Western Conference standings. Defense remains a concern. San Jose has allowed 43 goals, one of the five worst totals in the conference.

San Jose Sharks Predicted Lineup: Askarov (Nedeljkovic); Nurse, Kesselring; Graf, Celebrini, Smith

Full roster: Defensemen: Dickinson, Trouba, Allan, Orlov; forwards: Stenberg, Misa, Sherwood, Marchment, Dellandrea, Toffoli, Goodrow, Ostapchuk, Gaudette

Unavailable: Chernyshov, Wennberg (both injured)

Manager: Ryan Warsofsky

The Sabres Keep Going Beyond Regulation

Four of Buffalo’s last five games have required overtime. Lindy Ruff’s team recorded only one win during that stretch, beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 on the road in overtime. In their latest game, the Sabres lost 4-3 in overtime at Washington despite taking a 2-0 lead midway through the first period. Buffalo then became too defensive and was outshot 34-21.

The Sabres have won only four of their first 11 games. They remain well below last season’s level and outside the Eastern Conference playoff positions. Buffalo has scored just 31 goals, placing it among the conference’s five lowest-scoring teams. The Sabres also average only 11.4 blocked shots per game, with just three NHL teams posting a lower figure.

Buffalo Sabres Predicted Lineup: Luukkonen (Ellis); Samuelsson, Dahlin; Zucker, Norris, Thompson

Full roster: Defensemen: Zellweger, Power, Gilbert, Crevier; forwards: Benson, Ostlund, Quinn, Doan, McLeod, Helenius, Malenstyn, Kozak, Krebs

Unavailable: Timmins, Lyon, Grzelcyk, Carrick, Kulich (all injured); Danforth (questionable)

Manager: Lindy Ruff

San Jose Has Struggled Against Buffalo

Recent meetings with the Sabres have been difficult for the Sharks. Buffalo won 6-3 at home last season behind Jack Quinn’s hat trick. The return game in San Jose ended in a 5-0 Sabres victory. Buffalo converted five of its 16 shots on goal, while Sam Carrick scored twice.

Key Matchup Facts

San Jose allows opponents to generate 3.99 expected goals per game, the worst mark in the NHL.

Buffalo’s opponents have converted 13.7% of their shots on goal, the second-worst defensive rate in the league.

The Sharks have not lost the first period in any of their last six games.

San Jose Sharks vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction: Buffalo Sabres Moneyline

Main prediction: The Sharks have struggled at home and lost their last two games in San Jose. Buffalo has earned at least one point in four recent road games. The Sabres also won both head-to-head meetings last season, scoring 11 goals in the process. The preferred bet is Buffalo Sabres moneyline at 1.75. Predicted score: 4-3 Buffalo.

Totals prediction: At least seven goals were scored in three of the previous five meetings. San Jose’s last five games have averaged 6.8 regulation goals. These numbers support over 6.5 goals at 2.11.