Arizona Coyotes vs Buffalo Sabres prediction 12-16-23 NHL Picks
Arizona Coyotes (14-13-2) vs Buffalo Sabres (12-15-3)
2023-12-16 21:00:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Arizona Coyotes -111 / Buffalo Sabres -111 --- Over/Under: 6.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Buffalo Sabres look for a win after splitting their last 6 games. The Arizona Coyotes need a win after losing 4 of their last 5 games. Let’s preview this game and give out a Buffalo Sabres vs Arizona Coyotes prediction.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres have beaten the Coyotes and Golden Knights this week, while losing the Canadiens and Avalanche. The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 2.83 goals per game and are scoring on 13.6 percent of their power play opportunities. Jeff Skinner leads Buffalo with 12 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 17 assists and JJ Peterka has 84 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.33 goals per game and are killing 81.1 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Devon Levi has given up 36 goals on 337 shots faced, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has allowed 38 goals on 383 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Team Facts
- The Sabres have lost each of their last 11 night games following a road win.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in nine of their last 12 games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Sabres have lost the first period in each of their last three games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last nine Saturday night games.
Arizona Coyotes Betting Preview
The Arizona Coyotes rebounded from losses to the Sabres and Penguins with a win over the Sharks. The Arizona Coyotes are averaging 3.14 goals per game and are scoring on 24.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Michael Carcone leads Arizona with 14 goals, Clayton Keller has 16 assists and Lawson Crouse has 65 shots on goal. Defensively, the Arizona Coyotes are allowing 3.07 goals per game and are killing 80 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Karel Vejmelka has given up 39 goals on 360 shots faced, and Connor Ingram has allowed 43 goals on 541 shots.
Arizona Coyotes Team Facts
- The home team has won eight of the Coyotes’ last nine games.
- The Coyotes have failed to cover the puck line in 11 of their last 12 games as favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The favorites have won the first period in four of the Coyotes’ last five games at Mullett Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Coyotes’ last five home games against the Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres vs Arizona Coyotes prediction
The home team usually has the edge when both teams are on the end of a back to back, so I did consider the Arizona Coyotes. However, the Buffalo Sabres are playing the better hockey right now, and they’ve won 4 of the last 5 meetings against the Coyotes, with the last two games not being close. Toss up game with pick em prices, I lean Sabres because of the better body of work.