In this article we will formulate a Wild vs Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, November 29th at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild are 14-7-4 this season after they defeated Colorado in a shootout by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Minnesota blew a 2-1 lead in the third period, but they were able to rally and get the shootout win. The Wild were out shot by a total of 41-37, won 40.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got both of their goals from Kaprizov, while Wallstedt stopped 39 out of 41 shots, which was a .951 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Minnesota defeated the Blackhawks by a score of 4-3 and the Jets by a score of 3-0. The Wild have won seven games in a row and they are currently third in the Central standings with 32 points. Minnesota has scored 2.92 goals per game and they have allowed 2.79 goals against per game, while also going 25.3% on the power play and 77.6% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov has led Minnesota with 16 goals and 14 assists, while Matt Boldy has added 14 goals and 14 assists. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Filip Gustavsson, who is 7-7-2 with a 2.80 goals against average and a .903 save percentage this season.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 9-11-4 this year after they lost to New Jersey by a score of 5-0 in their last game. Buffalo allowed one goal in the first, one in the second, and three in the third for the shutout loss. The Sabres out shot New Jersey by a total of 42-23, won 43.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Buffalo was led by Dahlin, Power, and Tuch, who all had five shots on goal, while Lyon stopped 18 out of 23 shots, which was a .783 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Buffalo lost to the Penguins by a score of 4-2, but did beat the Hurricanes by a score of 4-1 before that. The Sabres have split their last four games and they are currently last in the Atlantic standings with 22 points. Buffalo has scored 3.13 goals per game and they have allowed 3.44 goals against per game, while also going 17.9% on the power play and 87.9% on the penalty kill this season. Alex Tuch has led Buffalo with eight goals and 13 assists, while Tage Thompson has added 12 goals and nine assists. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Colten Ellis, who is 3-2-0 with a 3.41 goals against average and an .896 save percentage this year.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The Sabres have lost each of their last eight road games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Wild have won each of their last seven games.
- The Wild have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games after coming off overtime.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Sabres have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs when tied after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last seven games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the last five games between the Sabres and Wild have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the last eight Saturday night games at Grand Casino Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 10 road games.
- The ‘Under 0.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last four games as favorites.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Kaprizov has scored at least one goal in each of the Wild’s last four games.
- Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine appearances with the Wild as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one point in 24 of his last 25 appearances against Atlantic Division opponents at Grand Casino Arena.
- Kirill Kaprizov has scored the last goal in three of his last four appearances with the Wild as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Jason Zucker has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 Saturday night appearances.
- Tage Thompson has scored a goal in five of the Sabres’ last six night games.
- Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six appearances after playing the previous day.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Minnesota Wild rank 4th in the league in power play percentage this season (25.00%).
- The Minnesota Wild rank T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (0).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 2nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (88.06%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 27th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.50).
Wild vs Sabres Prediction
Minnesota comes into this matchup on a seven game winning streak and they are the hottest team in the NHL right now. The Wild are 8-3-3 at home this year, while the Sabres are 1-6-2 on the road. Buffalo has dropped two straight and they have been outscored 9-2 in those two losses. The Sabres have been one of the worst teams in the NHL to start the year and we can’t trust them on the road. Take the Wild to get another win here.