The Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins meet Saturday in NHL action at the PPG Paints Arena. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres look for a win after winning 5 of their last 8 games. The Buffalo Sabres have won 4 of their last 5 road games. The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.15 goals per game and are scoring on 12.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Jeff Skinner leads Buffalo with 6 goals, Casey Mittelstadt has 9 assists and Tage Thompson has 49 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.15 goals per game and are killing 88 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Devon Levi has given up 17 goals on 148 shots faced, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has allowed 17 goals on 168 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Team Facts
- The Sabres have lost each of their last seven games at PPG Paints Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last 11 Saturday night games.
- The Sabres have lost the first period in five of their last six night games at PPG Paints Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 10 night games.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins look to build on their 3-game winning streak. The Penguins have lost 4 of their first 6 home games. The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.5 goals per game and are scoring on 17.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Evgeni Malkin leads Pittsburgh with 7 goals, Jake Guentzel has 10 assists, and Sidney Crosby has 47 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 2.83 goals per game and are killing 82.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Tristan Jarry has allowed 20 goals on 215 shots faced, and Alex Nedelijkovic has given up 6 goals on 70 shots.
Pittsburgh Penguins Team Facts
- The Penguins have lost each of their last four games as home favorites.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in 10 of the Penguins’ last 11 games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Penguins have lost the first period in seven of their last eight night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Randy’s Pick
The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting the benefit of the doubt because they’re at home and are enjoying a strong week, but this line leans toward the Sabres. The Penguins have not only lost 4 of their last 6 home games, but the Sabres are stringing wins together, and that includes a nice win last night against the Wild. The Sabres have also won 4 of their last 5 games on the road. The Sabres have won 3 of the last 6 meetings against the Penguins, and they’ve been decent sized underdogs in all of those wins. Give me Sabres and the more favorable price.
