In this article, we will formulate a Colorado Avalanche vs Buffalo Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, January 2nd at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview
The Colorado Avalanche are 23-15-0 this year after they defeated Winnipeg by a score of 5-2 in their last game. The Avalanche were tied at two in the third period, but they scored the last three goals to pull away for the win. Colorado outshot Winnipeg by a total of 38-22, won 51.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from Colton, Lehkonen, Mittelstadt, Rantanen, and Toews, while Blackwood stopped 20 out of 22 shots in the win.
Prior to that game, the Avalanche defeated Utah by a score of 4-1 and Seattle by a score of 5-2. Colorado has won five games in a row and they have allowed two goals or fewer in all five. The Avs are currently third in the Central standings with 46 points. Colorado has scored 3.39 goals per game and they have allowed 3.24 goals against per game, while also going 23.5% on the power play and 77.6% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 14 goals, 47 assists, and 148 shots on goal, while Mikko Rantanen has added 21 goals, 33 assists, and 104 shots on goal this year. Mackenzie Blackwood is 5-1-0 with a 1.85 goals against average and a .936 save percentage for the Avs this season.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 14-20-4 this season after they lost to Dallas by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Buffalo tied the game at two in the third period, but they allowed the last two goals in the game for the loss. The Sabres were outshot by a total of 33-23, won 26.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-0 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Malenstyn and Zucker, while UPL stopped 29 out of 32 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Sabres beat St. Louis by a score of 4-2 and Chicago by a score of 6-2. Buffalo has won three of their last four games, which is a nice bounce back from their previous 13-game losing streak. The Sabres are last in the Atlantic standings with 32 points. Buffalo has scored 3.03 goals per game and they have allowed 3.34 goals against per game, while also going 16% on the power play and 78.2% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 18 goals, 12 assists, and 92 shots on goal, while Alex Tuch has added 12 goals, 16 assists, and 85 shots on goal this year. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 11-12-3 with a 2.95 goals against average and an .898 save percentage this season.
Why the Avalanche will beat the Sabres
- The Avalanche have won each of their last five games.
- The Sabres have lost 12 of their last 14 night games.
- The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the Avalanche’s last five games.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four night games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Avalanche have won the third period in seven of their last eight home games against the Sabres.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last five games between the Sabres and Avalanche at Ball Arena has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Sabres’ last four night games at Ball Arena has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last nine games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last five games following a road loss.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Mikko Rantanen has scored a goal in each of his last four home appearances against the Sabres.
- Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one point in each of his last 16 appearances with the Avalanche as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Mikko Rantanen has recorded at least one assist in each of the Avalanche’s last eight games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Gabriel Landeskog has scored the first goal in each of his last three home appearances against the Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Jason Zucker has scored a goal in each of the Sabres’ last three road games.
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven Thursday road appearances.
- Bowen Byram has recorded an assist in each of the Sabres’ last four games as road underdogs against Central Division opponents.
Colorado Avalanche vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction
Colorado comes into this matchup on a five-game winning streak and they are 10-8-0 at home this year. Buffalo has won three of their last four games, but they are just 7-10-1 on the road. The Sabres have shown improvement recently, but this Colorado team is playing as well as anyone in the NHL and their defense has been elite. Take the Avalanche -1.5 here and I also think this could be a lower-scoring game.