The Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres meet Sunday in NHL action at the KeyBank Center. Here’s a Sabres vs Hurricanes Prediction. This article will include a Sabres vs Hurricanes Pick.
Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes lost to the Wild, beat the Jets, and they play the Rangers next. The Hurricanes have split their last 6 games.
The Carolina Hurricanes are averaging 3.62 goals per game and are scoring 13.6 percent of their power play opportunities. Seth Jarvis leads Carolina with 11 goals, Sebastian Aho has 13 assists, and Andrei Svechnikov has 60 shots on goal. Defensively, the Carolina Hurricanes are allowing 2.86 goals per game and are killing 78.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Frederik Andersen has given up 34 goals on 291 shots faced, while Brandon Bussi has allowed 16 goals on 154 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres lost to the Flames, beat the Blackhawks, and they play the Penguins next. The Sabres have won 3 of their last 4 games.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.14 goals per game and are scoring 17.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 11 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 15 assists, and Josh Doan has 57 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.52 goals per game and are killing 88.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Alex Lyon has given up 34 goals on 365 shots faced, and Colten Ellis has allowed 17 goals on 163 shots.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The home team has won each of the last eight games between the Hurricanes and Sabres.
- The Hurricanes have lost nine of their last 12 games as road favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The home team has covered the puck line in each of the last six games between the Hurricanes and Sabres.
- The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in 11 of their last 12 games as road favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The home team has won the second period in each of the last six games between the Hurricanes and Sabres.
Why the Carolina Hurricanes will win
- The Hurricanes have won seven of their last eight games against the Sabres following a road win.
- The Sabres have lost four of their last five games following a home win.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Hurricanes have covered the puck line in four of their last five day games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Hurricanes have won the second period in each of their last five games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents when leading after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the Hurricanes’ last five games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 11 day games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Hurricanes’ last seven games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Ryan McLeod has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances against the Hurricanes.
- Tage Thompson has scored a goal in each of the Sabres’ last five games.
- Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances with the Sabres as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Tage Thompson is the only player in the league to have recorded 5+ shots in five or more consecutive appearances this season.
Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts
- Jordan Staal has scored at least one goal in three of the Hurricanes’ last four games.
- Taylor Hall has recorded an assist in four of his last five appearances against former teams.
- Nikolaj Ehlers has recorded at least one point in nine of the Hurricanes’ last 10 games.
- Seth Jarvis ranks T2nd in the league for Game Winning Goals (4) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 1st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (88.52%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank T27th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.52).
- The Carolina Hurricanes rank 32nd in the league in power play percentage this season (13.56%).
- The Carolina Hurricanes rank 2nd in the league for goals per game this season (3.62).
Sabres vs Hurricanes Prediction
The Hurricanes should obviously be favored as they’re the better team playing the better hockey, but you can make a case for the Sabres and the plus money. The Sabres are at home, where 7 of their 8 wins have come this season. The Sabres have won three of the last five games against the Canes, cashing big underdog tickets in the process. It’s also an early start, which usually favors the home team. This will be the Canes fourth straight road game, which could lead to some tired legs. I’ll take a stab with the Sabres at this price.