The Buffalo Sabres and the St. Louis Blues meet in NHL action from the Enterprise Center on Thursday night. Can the Sabres finally string back-to-back wins together? Or will the Blues get back on track at home? Let’s take a look at this Sabres vs. Blues prediction and find out.
Sabres Take Down Rangers
The Buffalo Sabres come into this game looking to build on their 5-1 win over the New York Rangers last time out. Casey Mittelstadt leads the Sabres in scoring with 20 points including a team-high 16 assists while Jeff Skinner has 18 points with a team-high 10 goals and Rasmus Dahlin also has 18 points with 14 assists of his own this season. JJ Peterka’s got 17 points with 9 goals and 8 assists and Alex Tuch has 16 points split between 8 goals and 8 apples as well this season. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has a 6-3-1 record with a 2.54 GAA and an .918 save percentage while Devon Levi is 3-4-1 with a 3.66 GAA and an .879 save percentage this season in goal for the Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres Team Facts
- The Sabres have lost each of their last nine night games following a road win.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in three of the Sabres’ last four games following a road win.
- The Sabres have lost the third period in each of their last eight Thursday games as underdogs.
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Blues Fall Flat Vs. Wild
The St. Louis Blues will be out to rebound after a 3-1 loss at the hands of the Minnesota Wild in their last matchup. Robert Thomas leads the Blues in scoring with 22 points including team-highs of 8 goals and 14 assists while Pavel Buchnevich has 16 points split between 8 goals and 8 assists. Jordan Kyrou has 13 points with 4 goals and 9 assists while Brayden Schenn has 11 points with 6 goals and 5 assists and Justin Faulk has 10 assists as well this season. Jordan Binnington’s gone 6-6-1 with a 2.91 GAA and a .910 save percentage between the pipes for St. Louis while Joel Hofer is 5-3 with a 3.03 GAA and a .905 save percentage this season.
St. Louis Blues Team Facts
- The Blues have lost six of their last seven games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Blues have covered the puck line in each of their last four games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blues’ last six games.
- The favorites have won the first period in five of the Blues’ last six games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The St. Louis Blues ranks T30th in the league in power play percentage this season (9.23%).
- The St. Louis Blues ranks 25th in the league for goals per game this season (2.86).
- The Buffalo Sabres ranks 25th in the league in power play percentage this season (15.87%).
- The Buffalo Sabres ranks 29th in the league for shots per game this season (28.3).
Sabres vs. Blues Prediction
I’m sticking with the Blues here. It’s been a dog’s age since the Sabres won back-to-back games, and I don’t think it’s happening here as Buffalo has had some serious problems winning in St. Louis over the years. The Blues took the loss in Minnesota, but St. Louis tends to play their better hockey as it is at home and I think they get a huge bounce back win in this one. Give me St. Louis.
