Ottawa Senators vs Buffalo Sabres prediction 12-31-23 NHL Picks

The Buffalo Sabres will play the Ottawa Senators on Sunday evening at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Buffalo has lost four of their last six games, while Ottawa has won two of their last three. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Sabres vs Senators prediction.

Sabres Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are 15-18-4 this season after they defeated Columbus in overtime by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Buffalo tied the game at two in the third period and they were able to get the win in overtime on a goal by Jeff Skinner. The Sabres out shot Columbus by a total of 42-20 and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Buffalo lost to Boston by a score of 4-1 and the Rangers by a score of 4-3 in the two games prior to Columbus. The Sabres are scoring 2.97 goals per game and they are allowing 3.44 goals against per game, while going 13.3% on the power play and 78.3% on the penalty kill. Casey Mittelstadt has led Buffalo with 10 goals, 21 assists, and 59 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Devon Levi, who is 7-5-2 this season with a 3.31 goals against average and a .889 save percentage. 

Senators Preview

The Ottawa Senators are 13-18-0 this year after they lost to New Jersey by a score of 6-2 in their last game. Ottawa led 1-0 early in the game, but allowed the next five goals in the loss. The Senators were out shot by a total of 30-27 and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Ottawa defeated Toronto by a score of 4-2 and Pittsburgh by a score of 5-4 in the two games prior to New Jersey. The Senators are scoring 3.39 goals per game and they are allowing 3.58 goals against per game, while going 16.9% on the power play and 71.3% on the penalty kill. Tim Stutzle has led Ottawa with seven goals, 26 assists, and 92 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Ottawa is Joonas Korpisalo, who is 7-12-0 this year with a 3.66 goals against average and a .890 save percentage. 

Ottawa Senators Team Facts

The Senators have won 10 of their last 11 games against the Sabres following a home loss.
The Senators have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games against the Sabres following a loss.
The Senators have won the third period in each of their last six night games against the Sabres following a loss.
The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Senators’ last 22 games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Buffalo Sabres Team Facts

The Sabres have lost each of their last eight games at Canadian Tire Centre following a win.
The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games at Canadian Tire Centre following a win.
The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Sabres’ last nine games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
The Sabres have won the third period in each of their last six games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.

Ottawa Senators Player Prop Facts

Drake Batherson has scored at least one goal in three of the Senators’ last four games.
Drake Batherson has recorded at least one point in nine of the Senators’ last 10 games as favorites.
Tim Stuetzle has recorded at least one assist in six of the Senators’ last seven games as home favorites.
Parker Kelly has the most Shorthanded Goals for the Senators this season (2).

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

Jeff Skinner has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances after playing less than 20 minutes the previous day.
Casey Mittelstadt has recorded at least one point in each of his last five appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
Kyle Okposo has recorded an assist in three of his last four appearances against the Senators after playing less than 20 minutes in the Sabres’ last game.
Alex Tuch has the equal-most multi-goal games for the Sabres this season (2).

Matchup/League Facts

The Ottawa Senators rank 32nd in the league for Period 2 goals allowed per game this season (1.58).
The Ottawa Senators rank 2nd in the league for Period 1 goals scored per game this season (1.23).
The Buffalo Sabres rank 30th in the league for Period 1 goals scored per game this season (0.70).
The Buffalo Sabres rank 3rd in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (1.24).

Sabres vs Senators Betting Prediction

Buffalo is coming off of a win against Columbus on Saturday, but they will be on a back to back here. The Sabres have struggled recently and they are 7-9-3 on the road this season. Ottawa has won two of their last three games, but they are only 9-10-0 at home this year. These two teams are the bottom two teams in the Atlantic Division, but I like Ottawa at home. The Senators have played slightly better in recent games and I think they will get the job done here.