Dallas Stars vs. Buffalo Sabres Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Dallas Stars face the Buffalo Sabres with both teams looking to build off of strong seasons. The Stars have a 34-17-13 record and are in first place in the Central Division while the Sabres have a 32-27-4 record but are hoping to bounce back after losing back-to-back games. Both teams are looking to improve in their conferences and the playoff picture and the upcoming game should be a great one as a result.
Stars are led by remarkable defense
The Stars are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.31 goals per game including 20 goals in the last four games. Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Jamie Benn have scored 94 goals and 12 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has also stepped up. Joe Pavelski, Tyler Seguin, and Wyatt Johnston have combined for 47 goals and 80 assists while defenseman Miro Heiskanen has added nine goals and 38 assists from the point to open the offense up.
The offense has been great but the defense has carried the Stars all season, allowing only 2.63 goals per game. Esa Lindell and Jani Hakanpaa have combined for 9.4 defensive point shares and 233 blocked shots while Miro Heiskanen and Colin Miller have combined for 7.3 defensive point shares, adding depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Jake Oettinger has been great with a .921 save percentage and a 2.36 goals-against average on 1403 shots with 22.0 goals saved above average.
Sabres have been led by great offense
The Sabres are having a strong season with their offense looking like one of the best in the league, scoring 3.68 goals per game including nine goals in the last two games. Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner, and Dylan Cozens have scored 4 goals and 107 assists to lead the top two lines but the entire offense has been great. Casey Mittelstadt, Victor Olofsson, and Jack Quinn have combined for 45 goals and 56 assists while defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power have added 18 goals and 69 assists from the point to put the offense over the top.
The offense has been great but the defense has let the Sabres down this year, allowing 3.54 goals per game. Dahlin and Power have combined for 7.1 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. Additionally, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has struggled with a .893 save percentage and a 3.61 goals-against average on 885 shots with -11.1 goals saved above average.
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Both the Stars and Sabres have been playing great offense recently and I see both teams finding the back of the net at will in this one. The Stars, who average 3.31 goals per game, should create plenty of scoring chances with Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes near the net. The Sabres, who have scored nine goals in the last three games, should run up the score with Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner, Dylan Cozens, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power pick apart the Stars defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game controlled by both offenses.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.
Prediction: Over 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.
