After a disappointing loss, the Buffalo Sabres are holding on to their playoff hopes by the slimmest of margins. Another defeat would all but finish that chase.

To avoid missing the postseason for a second straight year, the Buffalo Sabres will likely need help from other Eastern Conference teams and a perfect run on their daunting, four-game, six-day stretch, which begins Monday night at home against the Detroit Red Wings when they battle at HSBC Arena.

GAME: Detroit Red Wings (50-19-6-3) at Buffalo Sabres (38-31-4-5)
DATE/TIME: Monday, April 06 - 7:00 PM EST
LINE: -115, 105 TOTAL: 6
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Oddsmakers currently have the Red Wings listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Sabres, while the game's total is sitting at 6.

The Red Wings, who reached the 50-win mark for the fourth straight season, are trying to make their own improbable run toward the Presidents' Trophy, but trail San Jose by six points and Boston by four with four games left.

Marian Hossa had the game-winning goal on Sunday afternoon as the Red Wings got past the Wild by a final score of 3-2.

The Red Wings were winners as -240 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the day's posted total (5.5).

Buffalo (38-31-9) is 10th in the East - four points behind the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers with one game in hand on both teams. After taking on the Red Wings, the Sabres face one non-playoff team in their final three contests, traveling to Toronto and Carolina on consecutive nights beginning Wednesday before hosting Boston on Saturday.

The Rangers play Montreal on Tuesday night then have two games against Philadelphia. The Panthers head to Philadelphia and Atlanta before taking on Washington at home Saturday night.

The Sabres were defeated 3-2 by the Devils last time out, as -130 favorites. That game's five goals fell UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).

Jochen Hecht and Clarke MacArthur scored in that loss.
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Team records:
Detroit: 50-19-9
Buffalo: 38-31-9

Detroit most recently:
When playing on Monday are 8-2
Before playing Edmonton are 6-4
After playing Minnesota are 6-4
After a win are 5-5

Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Monday are 7-3
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing New Jersey are 3-7
After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Detroit is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Detroit is 14-2-1 SU in its last 17 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Detroit's last 9 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Buffalo's last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Buffalo's last 9 games when playing Detroit
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