Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Buffalo Sabres face the Pittsburgh Penguins with both teams looking to improve on rough starts to the season. The Sabres have a 16-19-4 record and with only four wins in their last 10 games, they have the second-worst record in the Atlantic Division. The Penguins have a 19-14-4 record and are near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division but have won seven of their last 10 games. Both teams look to improve in the Eastern Conference and the upcoming game should be a good one.
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Sabres defense has struggled this season
The Sabres are having a rough season despite their offense stepping up and scoring 3.00 goals per game. Casey Middlestadt and Jeff Skinner have scored 27 goals and 37 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. John-Jason Peterka, Alex Tuch, and Tage Thompson have combined for 33 goals and 43 assists while defenseman Rasmus Dahlin has added 11 goals and 20 assists from the point to help open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense continues to let the Sabres down, allowing 3.38 goals per game with 16 goals in the last five games. Owen Power and Henri Jokiharju have combined for 3.3 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. In addition, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has struggled with a .893 save percentage and a 3.13 goals-against average on 475 shots with -5.0 goals saved above average.
Penguins have been led by great defense
The Penguins have turned around their season with their offense leading the way, scoring 3.08 goals per game with 23 goals in the last five games. Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and Evgeni Malkin have scored 54 goals and 63 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. Bryan Rust, Reilly Smith, and Lars Eller have combined for 25 goals and 29 assists while defensemen Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang have added nine goals and 43 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has been great but the defense has carried the Penguins this season, allowing only 2.73 goals per game including only 12 goals in the last five games. Marcus Pettersson and Erik Karlsson have combined for 5.8 defensive point shares and 103 blocked shots while Kris Letang and Ryan Graves have combined for 4.8 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Tristan Jarry has been great with a .912 save percentage and a 2.58 goals-against average on 662 shots with 6.2 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Rating:
The Sabres are coming off an impressive win but the Penguins have looked great recently and look to control this game on both ends of the ice. The Penguins, who average 3.08 goals per game, should pile on the goals against the Sabres, who allow 3.38 goals per game, with Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Penguins, who allow only 2.73 goals per game, should limit the Sabres with Marcus Pettersson, Erik Karlsson, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Tristan Jarry to make plenty of big saves. The Penguins should win the game with a strong performance on their home ice.
Take the Penguins money line as home Favorites.
Prediction: Penguins (-165)
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Rating:
Both teams have great offenses but with the Penguins being led by their defense, this game looks to be a low-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Sabres should limit the Penguins' offense with Owen Power, Henri Jokiharu, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to make plenty of big saves. The Penguins, who have allowed only 12 goals in their last five games, should eliminate the Sabres' offense with Marcus Pettersson, Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Tristan Jarry blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.
Take the Under on 6.5 goals.
Prediction: Under 6.5
Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.
