The Anaheim Ducks will play the Buffalo Sabres on Monday afternoon at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Anaheim has lost three of their last four games, while Buffalo has won two of their last three. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Ducks vs Sabres prediction.
Ducks Preview
The Anaheim Ducks are 19-33-2 this year after they lost to Toronto by a score of 9-2 in their last game. Anaheim allowed four goals in the first and second period in the blowout loss. The Ducks were out shot by a total of 32-21 and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Anaheim defeated Ottawa by a score of 5-1 in the game prior to Toronto, but lost to Montreal and Edmonton before that. The Ducks are scoring 2.56 goals per game and they are allowing 3.52 goals against per game, while going 19.9% on the power play and 76.5% on the penalty kill. Frank Vatrano has led Anaheim with 24 goals, 18 assists, and 167 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Anaheim is John Gibson, who is 11-19-1 this season with a 3.07 goals against average and a .899 save percentage.
Sabres Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 24-26-4 this season after they defeated the Wild in overtime by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Buffalo tied the game at two with 37 seconds left in the third period and they were able to get an overtime goal for the win. The Sabres were out shot by a total of 32-28 and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Buffalo lost to Florida by a score of 4-0 in the game prior to Minnesota, but they did beat LA before that. The Sabres are scoring 2.93 goals per game and they are allowing 3.06 goals against per game, while going 14.1% on the power play and 79.6% on the penalty kill. Casey Mittelstadt has led Buffalo with 13 goals, 31 assists, and 93 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is 14-13-2 this year with a 2.49 goals against average and a .914 save percentage.
Buffalo Sabres Team Facts
- The Sabres have lost five of their last six games as favorites following a road win.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games as home favorites following a road win.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Sabres’ last 10 games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- The favorites have won the third period in each of the last five games between the Ducks and Sabres.
Anaheim Ducks Team Facts
- The Ducks have won each of their last three Monday games as underdogs.
- The Ducks have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 13 of the Ducks’ last 14 day games.
- The Ducks have won the third period in four of their last five day games.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Alex Tuch has scored at least one goal in five of the Sabres’ last six games as home favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- Alex Tuch has recorded at least one point in nine of the Sabres’ last 10 games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in five of the Sabres’ last six games as home favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- Tage Thompson has the most Shorthanded Goals for the Sabres this season (2).
Anaheim Ducks Player Prop Facts
- Alex Killorn has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven appearances against the Sabres at KeyBank Center.
- Adam Henrique has recorded an assist in each of his last three appearances in day games at KeyBank Center.
- Jakob Silfverberg has scored two goals against the Sabres this season – most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank T30th in the league for power play goals this season (22).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 30th in the league for Period 1 goals scored per game this season (0.70).
- The Anaheim Ducks rank 25th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (76.47%).
- The Anaheim Ducks rank 32nd in the league for power play goals against this season (52).
Ducks vs Sabres Betting Prediction
Buffalo hasn’t had a ton of success this season, but they do come into this game after winning two of their last three games. The Sabres are 12-15-1 at home, while Anaheim is 11-15-1 on the road. The Ducks have lost three of their last four games and they have been out scored 20-10 in those four games. Anaheim has been one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL this year, which should be a welcomed sight for a struggling Buffalo offense. I think the Sabres will continue their strong play here and I like them to win by at least two goals.