The Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres meet Friday in NHL action at the KeyBank Center. Here’s a Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction. This article will include a Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks Pick.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks lost to the Flames and Wild, and they play the Stars, Blues, and Canadiens next. The Chicago Blackhawks are averaging 2.57 goals per game and are scoring 22.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Ryan Donato leads Chicago with 11 goals, Connor Bedard has 21 assists and Taylor Hall has 67 shots on goal. Defensively, the Chicago Blackhawks are allowing 3.2 goals per game and are killing 85.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Petr Mrazek has given up 59 goals on 603 shots faced, and Arvid Soderblom has allowed 35 goals on 392 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres lost to the Bruins, beat the Islanders, and play the Blues, Stars, and Avalanche next. The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 2.94 goals per game and are scoring 14.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 17 goals, Owen Power has 17 assists and Dylan Cozens has 85 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.4 goals per game and are killing 77 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Devon Levi has given up 28 goals on 225 shots faced, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has allowed 69 goals on 659 shots.
Why the Chicago Blackhawks will win
- The Sabres have lost each of their last eight games at KeyBank Center.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven games as home favorites following a road win.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in 12 of the Sabres’ last 13 games at KeyBank Center.
- The Blackhawks have won the second period in five of their last six games at KeyBank Center.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Rasmus Dahlin has scored the last goal in three of his last four appearances with the Sabres as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
- Owen Power has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last five games as home favorites.
- Tage Thompson has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances against the Blackhawks.
- Owen Power has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres’ last seven games as home favorites.
- Sam Lafferty has recorded two blocks against the Blackhawks this season – most against any opponent.
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Ilya Mikheyev has scored at least one goal in four of the Blackhawks’ last five games.
- Teuvo Teravainen has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six appearances at KeyBank Center.
- Nick Foligno has recorded a point in each of the Blackhawks’ last four road games.
- Ryan Donato ranks T1st in the Central Division for shootout goals (1) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 29th in the league in power play percentage this season (14.71%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 27th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.40).
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 4th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (85.29%).
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 28th in the league for goals per game this season (2.57).
Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction
The Buffalo Sabres should be favored at home as they’re the more talented team. The problem is the Sabres are underachieving left and right as they have just 10 wins on the season, and they have 10 losses at home. Also, only the Predators have lost NHL bettors more money this season than the Sabres. There’s no way I can lay these prices with the Sabres regardless of circumstances. Yes, the Blackhawks have issues of their own, but we have a chance to make 1.5 times our money. Give me the Blackhawks.