Blackhawks vs Sabres Prediction
Chicago comes into this matchup desperately looking for a win, but they have allowed at least five goals in four of their last five games. The Blackhawks are 4-5-0 at home this year, while the Sabres are 4-1-3 on the road. Buffalo has lost three of their last four games and they have allowed 12 goals in their last two games. I know the odds aren’t great, but I am going with Buffalo to win here. The Blackhawks are playing some really bad hockey and I can’t back them until I see improvement. Take the Sabres to win.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks are 4-13-1 this year after they lost to the Hurricanes by a score of 9-2 in their last game. Chicago allowed seven goals in the first two periods, but scored twice in the third to avoid the shutout. The Blackhawks were out shot by a total of 33-20, won 36.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-0 on the power play in the game. Chicago was led by Connor Bedard, who had one goal and one assist, while Roman Kantserov also added one goal. Spencer Knight stopped 11 out of 17 shots, while Arvid Soderblom stopped 13 out of 16.
Prior to that loss, Chicago lost to the Lightning by a score of 4-1 and the Panthers by a score of 5-3. The Blackhawks have scored 2.17 goals per game and they have allowed 4.22 goals against per game, while also going 9.8% on the power play and 78.6% on the penalty kill this season. Connor Bedard has led the team with five goals and nine assists, while Roman Kantserov has added nine goals and two assists. Spencer Knight is 4-10-0 with a 3.66 goals against average and an .881 save percentage this year.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 8-7-3 this season after they lost to the Lightning by a score of 8-3 on Wednesday night. Buffalo cut the deficit from 4-0 to 4-3 in the third period, but they allowed the last four goals in the lopsided loss. The Sabres out shot Tampa Bay by a total of 31-22, won 48.5% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Buffalo was led by Tage Thompson, who had one goal, while Jason Zucker also added one goal. UPL stopped nine out of 14 shots, while Colten Ellis stopped five out of eight.
Prior to that game, Buffalo lost to the Golden Knights by a score of 4-1, but did beat the Blue Jackets by a score of 5-2 before that. The Sabres have scored 2.94 goals per game and they have allowed 3.29 goals against per game, while also going 14.3% on the power play and 71.2% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led the team with 11 goals and nine assists, while Jack Quinn has added nine goals and eight assists. Colten Ellis is 3-3-0 with a 3.09 goals against average and an .873 save percentage this season.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Blackhawks have lost each of their last 16 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The favorites have won each of the Blackhawks’ last 10 games.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight night games.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight road games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Sabres have won the third period in each of their last seven games against the Blackhawks.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last five road games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the Blackhawks’ last six games against the Sabres following a road loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last nine games following a home loss.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last six games against opponents on a losing streak.
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Roman Kantserov has scored a goal in each of the Blackhawks’ last four games.
- Ryan Ellis has recorded an assist in each of his last five appearances with his team as a home underdog.
- Alex Vlasic has recorded two assists against the Sabres this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Tage Thompson has scored at least one goal in each of his last four road appearances against the Blackhawks.
- Zach Benson has recorded an assist in each of the Sabres’ last six games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- Rasmus Dahlin has recorded four hits against the Blackhawks this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 32nd in the league for goals per game this season (2.17).
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 32nd in the league in power play percentage this season (9.80%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 29th in the league in power play percentage this season (15.25%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 27th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.56).
Positive Trends
After reviewing the trends, I am sticking with Buffalo to win here. Chicago is 0-16 in their last 16 games against the Atlantic Division and they are 0-8 on the puck line in their last eight night games. Buffalo hasn’t been great recently, but this is a great spot for them to bounce back. Take the Sabres to get the win here.