In this article we will formulate a Hurricanes vs Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, February 27th at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes are 33-21-4 this year after they lost to Montreal by a score of 4-0 in their last game. Carolina allowed two goals in the first period, one in the second, and one in the third in the shutout loss. The Hurricanes out shot Montreal by a total of 20-18, won 59.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Carolina was led by Blake, Rantanen, and Slavin, who all had three shots on goal, while Andersen stopped 14 out of 18 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Hurricanes lost to the Maple Leafs by a score of 6-3, but did beat the Hockey Club by a score of 7-3 before that. Carolina has lost five of their last six games and they are currently battling the Devils for second in the Metro standings with 70 points. Carolina has scored 3.22 goals per game and they have allowed 2.79 goals against per game, while also going 19.4% on the power play and 84.3% on the penalty kill this season. Sebastian Aho has led Carolina with 20 goals, 36 assists, and 151 shots on goal, while Seth Jarvis has added 22 goals, 23 assists, and 132 shots on goal. Pyotr Kochetkov is 20-11-3 with a 2.55 goals against average and a .903 save percentage this year.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 24-27-5 this season after they defeated Anaheim by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Buffalo trailed 2-0 after the second period, but they scored three goals in the third to get the win. The Sabres out shot Anaheim by a total of 37-18, won 56.7% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Peterka, Tuch, and Jokiharju, while UPL stopped 16 out of 18 shots in the game.
Prior to that win, the Sabres defeated the Rangers by a score of 8-2, but did lose to the Predators by a score of 6-4 before that. Buffalo has won six of their last seven games and they are currently last in the Atlantic standings with 53 points. Buffalo has scored 3.21 goals per game and they have allowed 3.36 goals against per game, while also going 16.7% on the power play and 77.5% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 28 goals, 23 assists, and 159 shots on goal, while Rasmus Dahlin has added nine goals, 36 assists, and 123 shots on goal. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 20-16-4 with a 2.97 goals against average and an .895 save percentage this year.
Why the Hurricanes will beat the Sabres
- The Sabres have lost each of their last 10 games at Lenovo Center.
- The home team has won each of the Sabres’ last nine games.
- The home team has covered the puck line in each of the Hurricanes’ last five games.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six night games following a win.
- The Hurricanes have won the second period in each of their last six night games against the Sabres following a road loss.
Why the Sabres will beat the Hurricanes
- The Sabres have won each of their last six games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Hurricanes have lost seven of their last eight games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last six games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six night games.
- The Sabres have won the first period in each of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Sabres’ last eight games as underdogs following a home win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Hurricanes’ last four home games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 11 games as underdogs.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Hurricanes’ last four home games.
Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts
- Mikko Rantanen has scored a goal in each of his last five appearances with his team as a home favorite against the Sabres.
- Andrei Svechnikov has recorded at least one assist in each of the Hurricanes’ last six Thursday games against Eastern Conference opponents at Lenovo Center.
- Sebastian Aho has recorded at least one point in each of the Hurricanes’ last eight home games against the Sabres.
- Brent Burns has recorded two assists against the Sabres this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Ryan McLeod has scored at least one goal in each of the Sabres’ last four games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Owen Power has recorded an assist in seven of the Sabres’ last eight games.
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one point in each of his last eight appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Ryan McLeod ranks 1st amongst qualified Eastern Conference players for shooting percentage (24.1%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Carolina Hurricanes rank 2nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.30%).
- The Carolina Hurricanes are one of six teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 29th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.36).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 27th in the league in power play percentage this season (16.67%).
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Hurricanes vs Sabres Prediction
Carolina has been one of the better teams in the NHL this season, but they have struggled over the last few weeks and will look to turn things around at home. The Hurricanes are 21-6-1 at home this year, while the Sabres are 9-15-2 on the road. Buffalo is currently last in their division standings, but they have won six of their last seven games. The Sabres are playing some of their best hockey of the season right now and they have allowed two goals or fewer in three of their last four games. These two teams are trending in opposite directions right now, but the Buffalo defense has really stepped up lately and I think we could see a lower scoring game. Take the under here.