Buffalo Sabres vs. Vancouver Canucks Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Buffalo Sabres are heading to the Rogers Arena on the second half of a back-to-back as they take on the Vancouver Canucks in non-conference hockey. The Sabres (32-31-5) are sixth in the Atlantic Division and are coming off a road game on Monday night against the Seattle Kraken. The Canucks (42-18-8) are leading the Pacific Division, but are coming off a tough 2-1 home loss against the Washington Capitals.
Sabres’ Quest for Consistency Amidst Injuries
The Buffalo Sabres are fighting for an Eastern Conference Wild Card spot and need to continue putting up points if they want to have a chance. Their last game against the Detroit Red Wings on the road saw them drop the game 4-1 and they cannot afford to lose too many games without leaving with at least one point. Currently, the Sabres are sixth in the Atlantic and looking to continue improving. The offense needs to provide more of a spark with 2.93 goals per game so far this year.
Rasmus Dahlin has been doing well as he is leading the team with 50 points while Jeff Skinner has put 21 shots in the back of the net. The defense has to step up a bit more as they are giving up 2.96 goals per game. The penalty kill has been strong with a 79.1 kill percentage and that is doing a good job of masking their struggling 17.1 power play percentage this season. Inside the net will be Devon Levi as he is 9-7-2 with a .891 save percentage with 3.30 goals allowed per game. If he can step up, the team will be able to be in a great spot.
Buffalo has a pair of players on the injury report with Jack Quinn and Mattias Samuelsson both expected to miss this game. The team has been doing pretty well in their absence as Samuelsson is out for the year but the addition of Quinn in the rotations in the coming weeks will give the team an extra spark this time of the year.
Canucks’ Resilient March Toward Postseason Glory
The Vancouver Canucks are doing incredibly well as they are trying to get the top seed in the Western Conference come playoff time as they have a 42-18-8 record (92 points). They are struggling lately with a two-game losing streak, including a 2-1 home loss against the Washington Capitals but should be able to recover in time for this game. The offense has been the calling card for Vancouver this season as they are averaging 3.50 goals per game up to this point on the back of J.T. Miller’s 87 points and Brock Boeser’s 36 goals scored.
The defense has been playing well throughout the season as well with just 2.68 goals per game. Backup goaltender Casey DeSmith is going to be in the net and needs to do a bit better as he is 8-5-6 with 2.87 goals given up per game and a .899 save percentage thus far. The special teams have been doing well right now with a 22.5 power play percentage and 78.6 penalty kill percentage heading into this matchup.
“It starts now in practice. It’s all mental and physical reps."
�� Head Coach Rick Tocchet on the importance of playing with pressure, mixing lines during practice, and more. pic.twitter.com/cviBVfnsOb
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 18, 2024
Vancouver has been dealing with some injuries as Dakota Joshua, Thatcher Demko and Tucker Poolman are all expected to miss this game. Despite key pieces to the team being out, this Canucks team continues to play well and looking to be in the hunt for the Presidents’ Trophy.
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Getting some rest here and only playing twice since Mar. 13 gives the the Canucks fresh legs in the latter stretch of the season. With Buffalo on the second half of a back-to-back and beginning their west coast trip, things are going to be difficult here for the Sabres. The Sabres have Levi in the crease and he is not playing too well while DeSmith has been doing a decent job so they have the advantage in the net as well. Take Vancouver as they are the better team in this game.
Prediction: Vancouver Canucks
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When these teams met earlier in the season, there was a single goal scored between these teams so taking the under feels like the better play. Both teams are doing decently well at killing penalties and not allowing shorthanded goals. With these defenses each pitching shutouts once in their previous three games, the under seemingly is the better play here.
Prediction: Under
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