In this article, we will formulate a Buffalo Sabres vs Vancouver Canucks prediction for this NHL game on Friday, November 29th at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 11-10-1 this year after they lost to Minnesota by a score of 1-0 in their last game. Buffalo allowed a goal early in the first period and they couldn’t find any goals in the shutout loss. The Sabres outshot Minnesota by a total of 39-29, won 53.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Buffalo was led by Quinn, Thompson, and Tuch, who had six shots on goal each, while UPL stopped 28 out of 29 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Sabres won three games in a row against San Jose, Anaheim, and Los Angeles. Buffalo has scored 3.09 goals per game and they have allowed 3.00 goals against per game, while also going 16.9% on the power play and 80.8% on the penalty kill this season. Alex Tuch has led Buffalo with seven goals, 14 assists, and 55 shots on goal, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 8-5-1 with a 2.45 goals against average and a .914 save percentage this year.
Vancouver Canucks Betting Preview
The Vancouver Canucks are 11-7-3 this season after they lost to Pittsburgh by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Vancouver trailed 5-1 in the second period, but they nearly came back in the third. The Canucks out-shot Pittsburgh by a total of 29-23, won 35.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Vancouver got goals from Pettersson, Raty, Suter, and Hughes, while Silovs stopped 18 out of 23 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Canucks defeated Boston by a score of 2-0 and Ottawa by a score of 4-3. Vancouver has scored 3.19 goals per game and they have allowed 3.14 goals against per game, while also going 21% on the power play and 79.4% on the penalty kill this season. Quinn Hughes has led Vancouver with five goals, 18 assists, and 71 shots on goal, while Kevin Lankinen is 10-3-2 with a 2.56 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage this year.
Why the Sabres will beat the Canucks
- The Sabres have won each of their last five games as home underdogs following a loss.
- The Canucks have lost two of their last three games as favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last 14 games between the Canucks and Sabres.
- The Canucks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six road games following a road loss.
- The Sabres have won the third period in each of their last eight games as home underdogs following a loss.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last six games at KeyBank Center following a home loss has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Canucks’ last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last five day games at KeyBank Center.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in four of the Canucks’ last five games as road favorites.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Alex Tuch has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last four games as underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
- Tage Thompson has scored at least one goal in each of the Sabres’ last eight day games.
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres’ last nine day games.
Vancouver Canucks Player Prop Facts
- Brock Boeser has scored at least one goal in each of the Canucks’ last four day games.
- Jake DeBrusk has recorded at least one point in each of his last eight appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one assist in 10 of the Canucks’ last 11 games as road favorites.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank T3rd in the league in short-handed goals this season (3).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 7th in the league in penalty minutes this season (229).
- The Vancouver Canucks rank 29th in the league for Period 1 goals allowed per game this season (1.10).
- The Vancouver Canucks rank 27th in the league for shots per game this season (27.0).
Buffalo Sabres vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction
Buffalo comes into this matchup after winning three of their last four games, but they were shut out in their last game. The Sabres are 6-6-0 at home, while the Canucks are 8-2-0 on the road this year. Vancouver has won two of their last three games, but they have allowed at least four goals in five of their last nine games. Buffalo has been the better defensive team recently and I like them to pick up the win at home.