The Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres meet Wednesday in NHL action at the KeyBank Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes are averaging 3.3 goals per game and are scoring on 18.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Martin Necas leads Carolina with 21 goals, Brent Burns has 26 assists and Martin Necas has 161 shots on goal. Defensively, the Carolina Hurricanes are allowing 2.6 goals per game and are killing 81.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Pyotr Kochetkov has allowed 43 goal on 497 shots faced, and Antti Raanta has allowed 45 goals on 439 shots.
The Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.8 goals per game and are scoring on 26 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 34 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 41 assists and Alex Tuch has 145 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.4 goals per game and are killing 73.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has given up 66 goals on 658 shots faced, and Craig Anderson has given up 45 goals on 552 shots.
Hurricanes vs Sabres Trends
The Hurricanes are 7-2 in their last 9 road games and 22-6 in their last 28 overall. The Sabres are 4-1 in their last 5 Wednesday games and 5-1 in their last 6 overall. The over is 10-3 in Hurricanes last 13 overall. The under is 4-1 in Sabres last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Buffalo and 19-7 in the last 26 meetings. The favorite is 13-3 in the last 16 meetings. The home team is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Randy’s Free Pick
The Carolina Hurricanes have been the more consistent team and should be favored, but they’re on the end of a back to back and this game is also sandwiched between the break. Weird spot for the Canes. The Buffalo Sabres have also had a great week, and it’s the home team that’s won 7 of the last 9 meetings between these clubs. I’ll take a shot with the rested home team and the plus money.