{"id":481015,"date":"2025-12-31T09:24:34","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T14:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=481015"},"modified":"2025-12-31T09:24:34","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T14:24:34","slug":"nhl-predictions-dec-31-buffalo-sabres-vs-dallas-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/31\/nhl-predictions-dec-31-buffalo-sabres-vs-dallas-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Dec 31 Buffalo Sabres vs Dallas Stars"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at\u00a0<em>Last Word on Hockey<\/em> look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Buffalo Sabres taking on the Dallas Stars. Don\u2019t forget to check out more <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/nhl-predictions\/\" target=\"_self\">NHL Predictions<\/a>, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n<p>We also want to wish everyone a Happy and safe New York. Here&#8217;s to 2026.<\/p>\n<h2>NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n<h3>Winnipeg Jets vs Detroit Red Wings<\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"WgfyTBM6RMVMnvmF7Uwo0w\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2184625652\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'WgfyTBM6RMVMnvmF7Uwo0w',sig:'tCcyiUw2xUFLTD0YNCEKF5Y-BgSLChHalFeIEmM_pHc=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2184625652',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>2024-25 Season Series: Jets 1-1 Red Wings<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/full-guide-for-how-to-stream-and-watch-nhl-hockey-games\/\" target=\"_self\">How to Watch<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/news\/amazon-prime-video-2025-26-monday-night-hockey-schedule\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/12\/PRIMN_25_OOHDisplayAdBanner_Desktop_728x90_POST_Final_en-CA_PV00045914_Monday.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV:<\/strong> Fan Duel Sports Detroit; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Canada TV:<\/strong> Sportsnet<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p>We open up NHL predictions with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/29\/prime-monday-night-hockey-edmonton-oilers-vs-winnipeg-jets\/\" target=\"_self\">Winnipeg Jets<\/a> taking on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/28\/nhl-predictions-dec-28-toronto-maple-leafs-vs-detroit-red-wings\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Red Wings<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/helleco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor Hellebuyck<\/a> is expected to get the start for Winnipeg but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Jets are reeling and have only one win in their previous 10 games. This includes six consecutive losses entering this matchup. Michigan native <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/connoky01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Connor<\/a> is tied with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/scheima01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mark Scheifele<\/a> for the team&#8217;s lead in points with 45.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=gibsojo02,gibsojo01&amp;search=John+Gibson&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Gibson<\/a> is the probable starter for the Red Wings, who look to end the calendar year in first place in the Atlantic Division. Detroit is 7-3 in its last 10 games, including wins in four of its last five games. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/raymolu01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lucas Raymond<\/a> leads the way in assists (31) and points (42) so far this season.<\/p>\n<p>Winnipeg needs to get rack up points to pull out of this tailspin. However, Detroit has too much momentum going in its favour.<\/p>\n<p>Prediction: Red Wings win 4-2.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h3>Buffalo Sabres vs Dallas Stars<\/h3>\n<h3>2024-25 Season Series: Sabres 1-1 Stars<\/h3>\n<p>How to Watch:<\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV:<\/strong> Victory+; MSG Buffalo; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p>Our second and featured game of NHL predictions has the red-hot <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/28\/nhl-rumours-buffalo-sabres-trade-target-forward\/\" target=\"_self\">Buffalo Sabres<\/a> taking on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/27\/nhl-predictions-december-27-chicago-blackhawks-dallas-stars\/\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Stars.<\/a> Buffalo is expected to give <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lyonal01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Lyon<\/a> the start as it tries to maintain a nine-game winning streak. The Sabres now find themselves in the thick of a Stanley Cup Playoff battle. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/thompta01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tage Thompson<\/a> leads the club in goals (18) and points (34) so far this campaign.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/oettija01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Oettinger<\/a> is likely to get the start for the Stars, who 6-2-2 in their previous 10 games. However, Dallas has dropped its last two games prior to this meaningful matchup against Buffalo. The Stars are second in goals scored (3.49) and fourth in goals allowed (2.62) so far this season. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/rantami01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mikko Rantanen<\/a> is looking great with 39 assists and 54 points.<\/p>\n<p>Buffalo has plenty of momentum, but Dallas is a strong team at home.<\/p>\n<p>Prediction: Stars win 4-3.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"9GLC4n6UQpNKVLOODiwQ-A\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2252088818\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'9GLC4n6UQpNKVLOODiwQ-A',sig:'LnwaXZRXZTsIDSyEBuV0IQajz1TkvTEpDF3_EZ4ZzBs=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2252088818',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Boston Bruins vs Edmonton Oilers<\/h3>\n<h3>Head-to-Head: Bruins 0-1 Oilers<\/h3>\n<p>How to Watch:<\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV:<\/strong> NESN; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p>C<strong>anada TV:<\/strong> Sportsnet<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 9:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p>Our third and final game of NHL predictions has the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/23\/nhl-predictions-dec-23-montreal-canadiens-vs-boston-bruins\/\" target=\"_self\"> Boston Bruins<\/a> battling the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/29\/nhl-rumours-edmonton-oilers-trade-forward\/\" target=\"_self\">Edmonton Oilers<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/swaymje01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeremy Swayman<\/a> is the probable starter for a Bruins team that&#8217;s dropped six straight games. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pastrda01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Pastrnak<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/geekimo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Morgan Geekie<\/a> are shouldering the load with 41 and 40 points, respectively.<\/p>\n<p>Edmonton is expected to give <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/i\/ingraco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor Ingram<\/a> the start in goal for this game. The Oilers are 7-3 in their previous 10 games and are doing well despite the loss of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/jarrytr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tristan Jarry<\/a> in goal. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdavco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor McDavid<\/a> has 24 goals and 45 assists for 69 points so far this campaign.<\/p>\n<p>Boston has shown flashes under new coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/sturmma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marco Sturm<\/a>. However, Edmonton has too many weapons.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Oilers win 5-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Prop Bets of the Night<\/h3>\n<p>We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let&#8217;s go back to our featured game for our preferred props. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nhl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401802979\/sabres-stars\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The over\/under<\/a> for the Sabres versus the Stars is 5.5, and we like the over in this game.<\/p>\n<p>As for individual props, go with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tuchal01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Tuch<\/a> to get an anytime goal for Buffalo. On the Dallas side of things, take <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hintzro01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-31_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Roope Hintz<\/a> to get an assist.<\/p>\n<p><em>Main photo by: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions. Gambling problem? Call\u00a0<a href=\"tel:1-800-GAMBLER\">1-800-GAMBLER<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at\u00a0Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Buffalo Sabres taking on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":459764,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4524,3,29,4547,4548],"tags":[6081,6254,6124,6201,6017,6110],"class_list":["post-481015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl-predictions","category-sabres","category-stars","category-hockey","category-nhl","tag-boston-bruins-predictions","tag-buffalo-sabres-predictions","tag-dallas-stars-predictions","tag-detroit-red-wings-predictions","tag-edmonton-oilers-predictions","tag-winnipeg-jets-predictions"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/481015","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=481015"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/481015\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":481017,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/481015\/revisions\/481017"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/459764"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=481015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=481015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=481015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}