Buffalo Sabres (21-23-4) vs. San Jose Sharks (13-31-4)
January 27, 2024 4:00 pm EDT
The Line: San Jose Sharks +152 / Buffalo Sabres -184; Over/Under: 6.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Buffalo Sabres will play the San Jose Sharks on Saturday afternoon at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Buffalo has lost two of their last three games, while San Jose is on a three game winning streak. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Sabres vs Sharks prediction.
Sabres Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 21-23-4 this year after they defeated the Kings by a score of 5-3 in their last game. Buffalo trailed 3-1 after the first period, but they scored the last four goals in the game for the win. The Sabres were out shot by a total of 40-37 and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Buffalo lost to Anaheim by a score of 4-2 and Tampa Bay by a score of 3-1 in the two games prior to LA. The Sabres are scoring 2.94 goals per game and they are allowing 3.17 goals against per game, while going 14.3% on the power play and 79.7% on the penalty kill. Casey Mittelstadt has led Buffalo with 12 goals, 28 assists, and 78 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is 11-11-2 this year with a 2.63 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.
Buffalo Sabres Team Facts
- The Sabres have lost each of their last nine day games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games as favorites following a road win.
- The Sabres have won the third period in each of their last four games against the Sharks.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last nine games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
Sharks Preview
The San Jose Sharks are 13-31-4 this season after they beat the Rangers in overtime by a score of 3-2 in their last game. San Jose trailed 2-0 in the third period, but they were able to tie the game and Hertl scored the winning goal in overtime. The Sharks were out shot by a total of 31-22 and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. San Jose defeated the Kings by a score of 4-3 and the Ducks by a score of 5-3 in the two games prior to New York. The Sharks are scoring 2.08 goals per game and they are allowing 3.90 goals against per game, while going 16.9% on the power play and 71.8% on the penalty kill. Tomas Hertl has led San Jose with 15 goals, 19 assists, and 112 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for San Jose is Kaapo Kahkonen, who is 6-13-1 this year with a 3.56 goals against average and a .902 save percentage.
San Jose Sharks Team Facts
- The Sharks have lost each of their last eight home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Sharks have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games following a win.
- The Sharks have lost the third period in seven of their last eight home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Sharks’ last 14 home games against opponents on a losing streak.
Sabres vs Sharks Betting Prediction
San Jose comes into this game on a three game winning streak and they will be at home for this matchup. The Sharks haven’t had much momentum this season, but they should be full of confidence after beating the Rangers in their last game. Buffalo has lost two of their last three games, but they did beat the Kings last time out. The Sharks have some awful numbers when you look at their complete body of work, but I like what I have seen over the last four games and I think they pick up another win here.
