Buffalo Sabres vs. Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, Preview, and Odds

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The Carolina Hurricanes host the Buffalo Sabres tonight at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. Carolina has a record of 7-5-0 and is third in the Metropolitan Division. Buffalo sits sixth in the Atlantic Division with a record of 6-6-0. The Hurricanes have won two of their three games last season against the Sabres. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST.

The Hurricanes' Missing Goaltender

The Carolina Hurricanes are coming back home after their win against the New York Islanders with a final score of 4-3. This was the last game of their three-game road trip and finished 2-1 with their one loss coming from the New York Rangers. Their success as of late can really be attested to Carolina's offense. This season the Hurricanes are averaging 3.42 goals per game which is ranked tenth in the league. Carolina's powerplay has been great as well so far as they have a 26.7% powerplay percentage. Recently the Hurricanes' defense has been better than it was in their first few games. Despite how much they are playing better defensively, Carolina still sits 26th in goals allowed per game at 3.50.

Carolina this season has bounced around a lot when it comes to goaltending. Frederik Andersen started the season off for the Canes with a record of 4-1-0 but has been injured since. Andersen is currently out indefinitely with a blood clotting issue. That means we will see more of Antti Raanta in net for the Hurricanes. Antti Raanta is 3-1-0 on the season with a goals against average of 3.03 and save percentage of .870. When Raanta took over the net he had a rough start but in his last two starts he is 2-0-0 with a save percentage of .933 and a goals against average of 1.49.

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Buffalo Generating Offense

The Buffalo Sabres stay on the road after their win in Toronto with a final score of 6-4. After that game, the Sabres increase their goals per game average to 3.25, ranking 15th overall. Buffalo has been steadily increasing their goals per game since the first games of the season. In their first six games this season, the Buffalo Sabres averaged 2.17 goals per game. In their last six games, Buffalo has an impressive goals per game average of 4.33. Despite how well they are scoring, the Sabres still remain 27th in the league for powerplay percentage at 11.4%.

Buffalo has had their fair share of goalie injuries to start their season with Eric Comrie being injured early into the season. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi are sharing the goal in Buffalo. Ukko-Pekka has a goals against average of 3.14 and a save percentage of .901 with a record of 3-2-0. Meanwhile Devon Levi has a record of 2-3-0 with a goals against average of 3.41 and a save percentage of .886. Buffalo's goaltending is going to need to get better if it intends to help their offense win games.

Best Bets

Full-Game Side Bet

Rating:

Dating back to 2015, in their last 10 games played in Carolina, the Hurricanes have beaten the Buffalo Sabres in nine out of those 10 games. In their last seven games, they have covered a -1.5 spread six times. While Buffalo is scoring more, Carolina has been playing better defense, especially with Antti Raanta in the net. In their three games last season, Carolina covered this spread as well in two of those games. I am going to take Carolina to get a big win at home after a three-game road trip.

I am taking the spread on the Carolina Hurricanes.

Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 ( +125 )

Full-Game Total Pick

Rating:

In the last 10 games played between Carolina and Buffalo, the total has gone over in seven of those games. If we look at Buffalo on the road so far this season, the Sabres have gone over in their games four out of the five games. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has one game played against Carolina in his career and ended up having a goals-against average in that game of 4.09. With how much Buffalo is scoring right now, they should be able to get at least 3 goals to take us over the total.

Give me the over at 6.5.

Prediction: Over 6.5 ( -120 )

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Anthony has always been surrounded by sports. Whether its watching the Penguins win the cup or the Steelers winning another ring, he saw what it took to win it all. He enjoys breaking down stats and applying them to spreadsheets to better his picks. With the combination of watching trends and his spreadsheets, Anthony has been very successful as a sports bettor. His last name is the German word for people and it is clear that he is the people's choice when it comes to handicapping.