Buffalo Sabres vs. St. Louis Blues Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Buffalo Sabres face the St. Louis Blues with both teams looking to improve on rough seasons. The Sabres have a 10-10-2 record and are near the bottom of the Atlantic Division while the Blues have an 11-9-1 record and are in fourth place in the Central Division. Both teams are looking to make up ground in the standings and the upcoming game should be a good one.
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Sabres defense let them down this year
The Sabres are having a rough season and hope their offense steps up, scoring only 2.91 goals per game. Casey Middlestadt, Jeff Skinner, and John-Jason Paterka have scored 23 goals and 24 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only three active skaters have five goals or more and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has let them down, allowing 3.23 goals per game. Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Henri Jokiharju have combined for 3.0 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. The one bright spot has been the play of goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen who has a .918 save percentage and a 2.54 goals-against average on 306 shots with 4.7 goals saved above average.
Blues have been let down by their offense
The Blues are having a difficult season with their offense struggling, scoring only 2.86 goals per game with only five goals in the last two games. Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, and Jordan Kyrou have scored 20 goals and 31 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only four skaters have six goals or more and opposing defenses can limit the offense with ease.
The offense has struggled but the defense has also disappointed, allowing 3.05 goals per game. Justin Faulk and Torey Krug have combined for 2.4 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. The bright spot has been the play of goaltender Jordan Binnington who has a .910 save percentage and a 2.91 goals-against average on 477 shots with 3.2 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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The Blues look to step up on their home ice but the Sabres look to build off an impressive win and control this game from the first period. The Sabres look to build off a five-goal game and create plenty of scoring chances against the Blues, who allow 3.05 goals per game, with Casey Middlestadt, Jeff Skinner, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Sabres should limit a Blues offense that is scoring only 2.86 goals per game with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, 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 Sabres should win the game with a strong performance on the road.
Take the Sabres money line as road Favorites.
Prediction: Sabres (-105)
Full-Game Total Pick
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Both offenses have struggled this season and the upcoming game should reflect that with both defenses stepping up and taking over this game. The Blues should limit the Sabres' offense, which is averaging only 2.91 goals per game, with Justin Faulk, Torey Krug, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Jordan Binnington to make plenty of big saves. The Sabres, who allowed only one goal in their last game, should eliminate the Blues offense, which has scored only five goals in the last two games, with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Henri Jokiharju, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen 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.
