The set-up: I base my picks on many things. Clearly Buffalo is the "better" team in this matchup and it's playing with the home ice advantage here as well. This pick is based primarily on the overall "situation" though.

The pick: The Sabres went into the break with a 2-1 loss in Nashville (after having won three straight previously) and now they open up the second half of the season with five straight at home and facing a Senators team which played at home last night vs. the Devils. Buffalo also plays with revenge here after falling 3-1 to Ottawa back on December 23rd. The compeition increases greatly after this for the Sabres, with Montreal, Columbus and Colorado all on the horizon. I think the home side wins by at least two goals here.

1* FREE PLAY on the Sabres PUCK-LINE.