In this article, we will formulate a Sabres vs Penguins Prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, March 27th, at the KeyBank Center. Let’s take a look at a Buffalo Sabres vs Pittsburgh Penguins pick.
Sabres Look for Third Straight Win
The Sabres have all kinds of confidence right now, and they have won two straight games. Two games ago, against the Winnipeg Jets, the Sabres were able to secure the 5-3 victory, and in the last game against the Ottawa Senators, they ended up winning 3-2. Jacob Bernard-Docker had a strong game, putting up one goal. James Reimer was in goal, and he saved 30 of the 32 shots that he faced.
The Sabres are averaging 3.1 goals, while their defense is giving up 3.5 goals per game. The offense is ranked 12th in the league, while the defense is ranked 29th. They are shooting 11.25, which is 8th in the league. Tage Thompson has been the top player for the Sabres, scoring 35 goals and adding 26 assists so far this season. Ukko-Pekka Luukonnen sits with a 23-22-4 record overall, and he’s giving up 3.16 goals per game. The Sabres have won two of his last three starts.
Why the Sabres Will Beat the Penguins
- The Penguins have lost eight of their last nine road games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Sabres have won each of their last five home games following a win.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in six of their last seven games against the Penguins at KeyBank Center.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six night games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Penguins have lost the first period in six of their last seven road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Can the Penguins Bounce Back?
The Penguins have not lived up to the expectations this season, and they are coming off another loss in the last game. The Penguins faced off against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the defense was awful, giving up six goals on the way to the defeat. At the end of the first period, they were down 4-0, and the rest of the game wasn’t any better. Bryan Rust scored the only goal for the Penguins in the third period. Tristan Jarry started the game and saved only 3 of the 7 shots that he faced.
The Penguins are averaging 2.92 goals, while their defense is giving up 3.58 goals per game. The defense is ranked 31st, and they are going to need the goaltending to be a hell of a lot better here. Sidney Crosby has scored 25 goals and added 54 assists so far this season. Getting the start for the Penguins will be Tristan Jarry, and he sits with a 12-10-5 record overall, and he’s giving up 3.23 goals per game. He can’t be as bad as he was in the last game, and this is going to be a very long game.
Total Goal Facts
- Each of the Penguins’ last six games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Sabres’ last four games at KeyBank Center against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the last nine games between the Penguins and Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction
The Sabres are going to find success here. The Penguins are making a mistake if they put Jarry back into goal, which will end up being the difference here. The Penguins are averaging 2.92 goals, but that type of output isn’t enough to succeed here. The Sabres are going to get another good start from Luukonnen, and it’s going to be the Sabres that will get the job done. The Penguins are 0-4 in their last four games against the Atlantic. Back the Sabres on the money line.