In this article we will formulate a Pittsburgh Penguins vs Buffalo Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, October 16th at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 2-2-0 this year after they defeated Montreal by a score of 6-3 in their last game. Pittsburgh blew a 2-0 lead and trailed 3-2 in the second, but they scored the last four goals for the win. The Penguins out shot Montreal by a total of 31-27, won 64.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Eller (2), Hayes, Malkin, Rakell, and Letang, while Jarry stopped 24 out of 27 shots in the win.
Pittsburgh also has a win over Detroit by a score of 6-3, but they do have two losses against Toronto and the Rangers. Pittsburgh has scored 3.50 goals per game and they have allowed 4.00 goals against per game, while also going 20% on the power play and 83.3% on the penalty kill. Evgeni Malkin has led the Penguins with one goal, six assists, and six shots on goal, while Tristan Jarry is 1-1-0 with a 4.50 goals against average and an .866 save percentage.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 1-3-0 this season after they defeated Florida by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Buffalo trailed 1-0 in the first period, but they scored the next four goals to pull away for the win. The Sabres out shot Florida by a total of 27-25, won 51.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Greenway, Thompson, Tuch, Jokiharju, and Samuelsson, while Levi stopped 23 out of 25 shots in the win.
Buffalo had lost their first three games of the season against New Jersey (twice) and Los Angeles. Buffalo has scored 2.00 goals per game and they have allowed 3.00 goals against per game, while also going 0% on the power play and 76.9% on the penalty kill. Alex Tuch has led Buffalo with two goals, two assists, and nine shots, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 0-2-0 with a 2.56 goals against average and an .886 save percentage this year.
Why the Penguins will beat the Sabres
- The Sabres have lost each of their last nine road games following a home win.
- The Penguins have won four of their last five home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The home team has covered the puck line in six of the last seven games between the Sabres and Penguins.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four games.
- The Penguins have won the first period in four of their last five home games against the Sabres following a road win.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last six games between the Sabres and Penguins at PPG Paints Arena have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Sabres’ last six road games following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 13 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Drew O’Connor has scored a goal in six of his last seven appearances with the Penguins as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Erik Karlsson has recorded at least one assist in nine of his last 10 home appearances against the Sabres.
- Erik Karlsson has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 home appearances against the Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Jack Quinn has recorded at least one assist in each of his five previous Wednesday road appearances.
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one point in five of the Sabres’ last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction
Buffalo was able to finally get their first win of the season in their last game, but they have scored just one goal in three of their first four games. Pittsburgh has scored six goals in each of their first two wins, but they have allowed 10 goals in the two losses. The Penguins did lose their first home game of the season by a score of 6-0 against the Rangers, but they have played better in their last three games. I think the Sabres will be the better team at the end of the season, but I don’t trust them to score right now. Take Pittsburgh at home.