The Carolina Hurricanes and the Buffalo Sabres meet in NHL action from the KeyBank Center on Sunday. Who comes out on top in this Eastern Conference NHL tilt? Let’s dive in and find out with our Hurricanes vs. Sabres Prediction.
Carolina Hurricanes Team Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes come into this one looking to rebound from a 2-1 loss to Dallas last time out. Sebastian Aho leads the Hurricanes in scoring with 61 points including 22 goals and a team-high 39 assists while Seth Jarvis has 46 points split between 18 goals and 28 assists. Martin Necas has 40 points and Teuvo Teravainen has 36 points with Necas and Teravainen each logging 17 goals. In goal, Frederik Andersen has gone 4-1 with a 2.87 GAA and an .894 save percentage while Antti Raanta is 12-7-2 with a 2.99 GAA and an .872 save percentage and Pyotr Kochetkov is 15-10-3 with a 2.37 GAA and a .910 save percentage. The Hurricanes will take on the Wild, Blue Jackets, and Jets after this one.
Carolina Hurricanes Team Facts
- The Hurricanes have won each of their last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Hurricanes have covered the puck line in each of their last six night games following a loss.
- The Hurricanes have won the first period in each of their last five games at KeyBank Center.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Hurricanes’ last eight games following a loss.
Buffalo Sabres Team Preview
The Buffalo Sabres come into this one looking to build on back-to-back wins after a 2-1 win over Columbus last time out. Casey Mittelstadt leads the Sabres in scoring with 44 points including a team-high 31 assists while Rasmus Dahlin has 43 points with 14 goals and 29 assists. Jeff Skinner has 35 points with 18 goals while JJ Peterka has 37 points with a team-high 19 goals and 18 assists. Alex Tuch also has 38 points with 16 goals and 22 assists this season. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has a 16-14-2 record with a 2.48 GAA and a .913 save percentage while Devon Levi is 9-7-2 with a 3.30 GAA and an .891 save percentage and Eric Comrie is 1-6 with a 3.87 GAA and an .869 save percentage this season in goal for the Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres Team Facts
- The Sabres have lost each of their last seven night games at KeyBank Center following a road win.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in seven of the Sabres’ last eight games.
- The Sabres have lost the first period in eight of their last nine games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in three of the last four games between the Hurricanes and Sabres at KeyBank Center.
Hurricanes vs. Sabres Prediction
I’m on the Hurricanes here. The Hurricanes suffered a blip against Dallas, but they’re still the far better and far more consistent team in this matchup that’s also owned the Buffalo Sabres over the years. Buffalo will be in positions to provide value down the road, but in this position I have to side with the Carolina Hurricanes and the reasonable price.