Buffalo Sabres vs. St. Louis Blues - 11/19/13

St. Louis Blues (13-3-3) at Buffalo Sabres (5-16-1)

NHL Hockey: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at 7:00 pm (First Niagara Center)

The Line: Buffalo Sabres +169 / St. Louis Blues -186 --- Over/Under: 5 See the Latest Odds

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The St. Louis Blues were the better team in their 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Sunday, except for in the most important area. Jaroslav Halak was chased after allowing three first period goals on six shots and the Blues were never able to recover. Sometimes that's how things go in hockey and it's unfortunate because St. Louis did what they always do and outworked their opponents in this one. The Blues fired 47 shots at Braden Holtby and controlled the game for long stretches, but their goaltender didn't give them a chance right from the drop of the puck. Still, the way they played for 60 minutes is exactly why they're one of the best teams in the league and should rebound nicely from that loss. Their opponent on Tuesday night, the Buffalo Sabres, played well in Ted Nolan's debut behind the bench, but they still are a hockey club that doesn't have a lot to work with and struggles to dictate play. Buffalo is a team that is routinely outshot and that doesn't figure to change against a St. Louis club that doesn't give up many chances. After the Sabres got a win on home ice over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night they fell in the second game of the back-to-back against the Leafs on Saturday. The good news is they Sabres already have more wins in the month of November than they did in October, giving them five total for the season. Saturday's 35-22 shot advantage for Buffalo snapped a streak of 11 straigth games that saw their opponent out shoot them. 

Buffalo has looked like they have gotten a little jump from the coaching and management change and Ted Nolan is a hard-nosed coach that isn't going to accept lethargic play. It should make the Sabres more competitive for the rest of the season, but it doens't matter who the coach is if the talent isn't there. Expect the Blues to bounce back in this one against a Sabres club that should be overmatched.