The Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames meet Monday in NHL action at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Here’s a Flames vs Sabres Prediction. This article will include a Flames vs Sabres Pick.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres lost to the Flyers and Jets, and they play the Oilers next. The Sabres have split their last 12 games.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 2.93 goals per game and are scoring 18.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 12 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 17 assists, and Josh Doan has 74 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.43 goals per game and are killing 87.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Alex Lyon has given up 39 goals on 388 shots faced, and Colten Ellis has allowed 24 goals on 222 shots.
Calgary Flames Betting Preview
The Calgary Flames beat the Wild and Mammoth, and they play the Red Wings next. The Flames have won 6 of their last 9 games.
The Calgary Flames are averaging 2.33 goals per game and are scoring 13.7 percent of their power-play opportunities. Matt Coronato leads Calgary with 9 goals, Nazem Kadri has 18 assists, and Rasmus Andersson has 69 shots on goal. Defensively, the Calgary Flames are allowing 2.87 goals per game and are killing 83.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Dustin Wolf has allowed 59 goals on 584 shots faced, and Devin Cooley has given up 21 goals on 261 shots.
Why the Calgary Flames will win
- The Sabres have lost eight of their last nine road games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Flames have won each of their last five night games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Flames have covered the puck line in nine of their last 10 home games.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games following a road loss.
- The Sabres have lost the second period in seven of their last eight games against Pacific Division opponents when leading after the first period.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Flames have lost five of their last six night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The road team has won 12 of the last 15 games between the Sabres and Flames.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine road games against the Flames.
- The Flames have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Sabres have won the third period in each of their last four games when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Flames’ last six games against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Six of the Sabres’ last seven games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Flames’ last three games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last four games.
Calgary Flames Player Prop Facts
- Jonathan Huberdeau has recorded at least one point in each of his last 12 appearances against the Sabres.
- Jonathan Huberdeau has recorded at least one assist in four of his last five home appearances against the Sabres.
- Joel Farabee has scored at least one goal in four of the Flames’ last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres’ last eight games against the Flames.
- Joshua Norris has recorded an assist in each of the Sabres’ last three games.
- Tage Thompson has scored a goal in each of the Sabres’ last six games against the Flames.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Calgary Flames rank 32nd in the league for goals per game this season (2.33).
- The Calgary Flames rank 32nd in the league in power play percentage this season (13.68%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 1st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (87.18%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 27th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.43).
Flames vs Sabres Prediction
The Sabres have 8 losses on the road and just aren’t a team I’m excited to back given the lack of success. The Flames played the Sabres about three weeks ago in buffalo and won 6-2. The Flames have outscored the Sabres 11-4 in the last two meetings. The Flames have played their best hockey on their home ice and actually haven’t lost a home game since November 15. You can argue the Flames should be bigger favorites given the lack of road success from the Sabres. I’ll gladly take the Flames at this price.