In this article we will formulate a Blues vs Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Monday, December 29th at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
St. Louis Blues Betting Preview
The St. Louis Blues are 15-16-8 this year after they defeated Nashville by a score of 3-2 in their last game. St. Louis was tied at one in the first period, but they scored the next two goals and hung on for the win in the third. The Blues were out shot by a total of 32-20, won 62.3% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. St. Louis got goals from Buchnevich (2) and Schenn, while Hofer stopped 30 out of 32 shots, which was a .938 save percentage.
Prior to that game, St. Louis lost to the Lightning by a score of 4-1, but did beat the Panthers by a score of 6-2 before that. The Blues have alternated wins and losses over their last eight games and they are currently fifth in the Central standings with 38 points. St. Louis has scored 2.51 goals per game and they have allowed 3.36 goals against per game, while also going 18.6% on the power play and 76.8% on the penalty kill this season. Robert Thomas has led St. Louis with nine goals and 20 assists, while Pavel Buchnevich has added seven goals and 14 assists. The projected starting goalie for St. Louis is Joel Hofer, who is 8-7-2 with a 2.86 goals against average and a .900 save percentage this year.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 19-14-4 this season after they defeated Boston by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Buffalo trailed 1-0 after the first period, but they scored three goals in the second and one in the third for the win. The Sabres out shot Boston by a total of 34-22, won 42.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Krebs, McLeod, Norris, and Samuelsson, while UPL stopped 21 out of 22 shots, which was a .955 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Buffalo defeated the Senators by a score of 3-2 and the Devils by a score of 3-1. The Sabres have won eight games in a row and they are currently fifth in the Atlantic standings with 42 points. Buffalo has scored 3.05 goals per game and they have allowed 3.19 goals against per game, while also going 19.6% on the power play and 84.6% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 18 goals and 16 assists, while Alex Tuch has added 11 goals and 19 assists. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is 6-5-1 with a 2.58 goals against average and an .897 save percentage this season.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won each of their last eight games.
- The Blues have lost 10 of their last 11 night games following a home win.
- The road team has covered the puck line in each of the last four games between the Sabres and Blues.
- The Blues have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three home games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Sabres have won the third period in each of their last five games as favorites against Central Division opponents when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last seven games against the Blues following a win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Blues’ last six games against the Sabres following a win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 12 games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blues’ last eight home games against opponents on a winning streak.
St. Louis Blues Player Prop Facts
- Brayden Schenn has scored at least one goal in each of the Blues’ last four home games against the Sabres.
- Robert Thomas has recorded at least one assist in seven of his last eight appearances with the Blues as home underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Tage Thompson has scored a goal in five of the Sabres’ last six games as favorites.
- Ryan McLeod has recorded an assist in each of the Sabres’ last five road games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The St. Louis Blues rank 32nd in the league for goals per game this season (2.51).
- The St. Louis Blues rank 27th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.36).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 3rd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.62%).
- The Buffalo Sabres have recorded the equal-largest margin of victory in a home game this season (6-goals vs Blackhawks on November, 21).
Blues vs Sabres Prediction
Buffalo comes into this matchup looking to extend their lengthy winning streak and they have allowed two goals or fewer in four straight games. The Sabres are 7-9-2 on the road this year, while the Blues are 8-8-5 at home. St. Louis has alternated wins and losses over their last eight games, which means they are due for a loss if that trend continues. The Blues have scored two goals or fewer in three of their last five games and they are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league. Take Buffalo to get another win here.