The Nashville Predators and Buffalo Sabres meet Saturday in NHL action at the KeyBank Center. Here’s a Sabres vs Predators Prediction. This article will include a Sabres vs Predators Pick.
Nashville Predators Betting Preview
The Nashville Predators beat the Bruins and lost to the Blue Jackets, and they play the Kraken next. The Predators have lost 5 of their last 7 games.
The Nashville Predators are averaging 2.94 goals per game and are scoring 22.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Steven Stamkos leads Nashville with 30 goals, Luke Evangelista has 38 assists and Filip Forsberg has 196 shots on goal. Defensively, the Nashville Predators are allowing 3.44 goals per game and are killing 80.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Juuse Saros has allowed 143 goals on 1,319 shots faced, and Justus Annunen has given up 54 goals on 472 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres beat the Penguins and Golden Knights, and they play the Lightning next. The Sabres have won 5 straight games.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.38 goals per game and are scoring 19.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 33 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 41 assists, and Alex Tuch has 150 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3 goals per game and are killing 82.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Alex Lyon has given up 72 goals on 836 shots faced, and Colten Ellis has allowed 38 goals on 367 shots.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won each of their last 10 night games at KeyBank Center following a road win.
- The Predators have lost six of their last seven road games.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in 12 of their last 13 night games following a road win.
- The Predators have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games at KeyBank Center.
- The Sabres have won the first period in seven of their last eight night games following a road win.
Why the Nashville Predators will win
- The underdogs have won four of the Predators’ last five games at KeyBank Center.
- The road team has covered the puck line in each of the Sabres’ last nine games.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five home games.
- The Sabres have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games as home favorites when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Six of the Predators’ last seven games following a win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the Sabres’ last six games as favorites following a road win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Eight of the last nine Saturday night games between teams from different divisions have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the last eight games between the Predators and Sabres.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Predators’ last six road games against the Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Jason Zucker has scored at least one goal in each of his last five appearances with his team as a favorite against the Predators.
- Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last six home games.
- Rasmus Dahlin has recorded a positive plus minus rating in each of his last four appearances – equal-longest active streak in the league.
Nashville Predators Player Prop Facts
- Filip Forsberg has scored at least one goal in eight of the Predators’ last 10 games.
- Ryan O’Reilly has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Steven Stamkos ranks 1st in the league for Game Winning Goals (9) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 3rd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (83.43%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 7th in the league for goals per game this season (3.40).
- The Nashville Predators rank 28th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.44).
- The Nashville Predators have recorded the largest comeback win this season – trailed by four goals vs Blues on February, 2.
Sabres vs Predators Prediction
As I said before, the Sabres look different this season and are actually good. Usually the Sabres are a team that falls apart the second I start to believe. The Sabres are playing great hockey. The Predators have had issues stringing wins together and they haven’t had much success on the road. I’m going to continue to ride the hot hand and side with the Sabres and the PL for max betting value.