Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres Prediction, Preview, and Odds
A pair of Atlantic Division teams looking to put one in the win column take the ice in search of a victory in Western New York. The Florida Panthers are on the road as they travel to take on the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. Florida was in action on the road against Pittsburgh Wednesday night in the front half of a back-to-back. The Panthers blanked Colorado 4-0 at home in their previous contest Saturday night. Buffalo trounced Los Angeles 7-0 at home Tuesday night in their previous contest. In the last 10 meetings between the teams, the Panthers own a 7-3 advantage, including a 2-1 home win in the most recent matchup on April 4, 2023. This article was published before the conclusion of the Panthers’ contest with the Penguins in the Steel City Wednesday night.
I've hit more than 60 parlays in the last few months, totaling over $69,915 in that span. That includes 26 wins since August 28 totaling $36,349! Looking for my Premium Picks? Don't miss out on another big payday!
Florida Panthers Close Back-to-Back Set on the Road
Florida entered Wednesday, winners of two straight and six of their previous seven games, after blanking Colorado Saturday night. The Panthers entered Wednesday 33-15-4 on the season and entered Wednesday second in the Atlantic Division, four points behind the Bruins for the top spot in the standings. Florida is 13 in the league in goals per game as they put up an average of 3.19 goals a night this season. The Panthers are 2 in the league in goals against as they allow an average of 2.50 goals per contest. Florida is 6 in power play success as they have cashed in on 24.9% of their chances with the man advantage this season. The Panthers are 6 in the league in penalty-killing as they successfully navigate 82.7% of their shorthanded situations on the year.
A Barky goal is the automatic winner of our @Publix Grab & Go Play of the Game �� pic.twitter.com/OQTDlB0Q7o
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) February 11, 2024
Against Colorado Saturday night, Florida was sharp in their end and they took care of business offensively to earn the home victory. The Panthers were outshot 14-11 in the opening period of play but skated off with a 2-0 lead on the scoreboard at the first intermission. Carter Verhaeghe opened the scoring with his 26 goal of the season, on the power play, at 10:19 off assists from Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk. Later in the period, Sam Reinhart made it a 2-0 game with his 39 goal of the year, on the power play, at 16:56 off assists from Tkachuk and Barkov. The second period saw Florida own a 22-10 advantage in shots on goal and tallied the lone goal of the stanza to extend to a 3-0 margin after 40 minutes of play. Eetu Luostarinen gave Florida a 3-0 advantage with his 10 goal of the season at 17:52 off assists from Dmitry Kulikov and Evan Rodrigues. In the third period, the Panthers were outshot 10-8 and scored the only goal of the period to secure the win. Barkov closed the scoring with his 12 goal of the year, unassisted at the 9:20 mark of the period. Sergei Bobrovsky made 34 saves for the Panthers, who held a 41-34 advantage in shots on goal in the shutout win. Anthony Stolarz likely gets the call here in the second game of a back-to-back.
Sabres Looking for Back-to-Back Home Wins
Buffalo lit up Los Angeles at home in their previous game Tuesday night to get back in the win column with an explosive offensive performance. The Sabres improved to Wednesday night 23-25-4 and stood seventh in the Atlantic Division, 24 points behind the Bruins for the top spot in the division. They were 13 points behind the Lightning for the final guaranteed playoff spot in the division. The team stood 10 points behind the Red Wings for the second wild card spot. For the season, Buffalo is tied for 19 in offense as they are averaging 2.98 goals per game on the season. The Sabres are tied for 15 in the league in goals against as they allow 3.06 goals per contest this year. Buffalo is 29 in power play success as they cash in 14.6% of their chances with the man advantage. The Sabres are tied for 15 in the league in penalty killing as they successfully get through 80% of their shorthanded situations on the year.
SEND IT, TUCHY! #LetsGoBuffalopic.twitter.com/B2pc6MiOca
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) February 14, 2024
Against Los Angeles, Buffalo’s offense was clicking and their goaltending stood up after being handed a lead en route to the win. The Sabres held a 9-5 edge in shots on goal in the opening period and took a 3-0 lead to the dressing room at the first intermission. JJ Peterka opened the scoring with his 19 goal of the season at 4:25 off assists from Jordan Greenway and Jacob Bryson. Jordan Greenway gave Buffalo a 2-0 lead with his seventh goal of the season, unassisted, at 16:58 of the period. Kyle Okposo made it a 3-0 game with his 11 goal of the year, on the power play, at 19:25 off assists from Dylan Cozens and Rasmus Dahlin. In the second period, Buffalo was outshot 13-8 but outscored Los Angeles 2-0 to lead 5-0 after 40 minutes of play. Dahlin extended to a 4-0 margin with his 14 goal of the season at 6:42 off assists from Ryan Johnson and Peyton Krebs. Zach Benson made it 5-0 with his fifth goal of the year at 14:17 off assists from Bryson and Peterka.
In the third period, Buffalo was outshot 15-7 but outscored Los Angeles 2-0 to seal the win. Alex Tuch made it a 6-0 game with his 15 goal of the season at 4:30, unassisted, before Greenway closed the scoring with his second of the night and eighth of the season at 7:50 off assists from Tuch and Casey Mittelstadt. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 33 saves for the Sabres, who were outshot 33-24, in the shutout win. He is expected to be between the pipes again here.
Do you need a boost in your handicapping? Try our NHL Betting picks and light the lamp!
Thursday's Top Plays
Today's Top Plays
David Hess - 11-2 CBB Best Bet Run - Grab David’s Thursday CBB Totals Crusher For Just $29 -
Arthur Reyes- 17-6-1 NBA Run - Snag Arthur’s Thursday NBA Best Bet For Just $29 -
Mike Briggs - 14-6 CBB Run - Grab Mike’s Thursday CBB Alley-Oop Best Bet For Just $29 -
MIT Simulator - 11-3 NBA Run - Pick up MIT’s Thursday NBA Bone-Crushing Best Bet For Just $29 -
Jesse Schule - 11-2 NHL Premium Run - Scoop Up Jesse's NHL Beast Of The East For Just $45 -
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Rating:
Buffalo comes in off a one-sided victory and they do have the rest advantage with having Wednesday off while Florida was in Pittsburgh. The Sabres are at home, giving them the edge of not having to travel as well, but they have had their issues with the Panthers in recent years. Florida will have the lesser of their goaltending tandem between the pipes here as Stolarz is likely to get the call with Bobrovsky going Wednesday night. The Panthers are a dangerous offensive team, led by Reinhart and Tkachuk. Florida has rebounded nicely from a slow start and they continue to do damage. Look for the Panthers to pick up the road win here as their offense does the job once again.
Prediction: Florida Panthers -145
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Rating:
Florida has seen the under post a 33-18-1 mark in their 52 games this season entering Wednesday night. The Panthers have posted an average total of 5.69 goals per game so far this season but that number falls to an average of 5.35 goals per game on the road this season. Buffalo has seen the under post a 28-21-3 mark in their 52 games on the season entering Wednesday night, in part due to their offensive struggles and despite a series of injuries in net. Buffalo sees an average of 6.04 goals per game, a number that falls to 5.56 goals per game in their home contests. With the Panthers playing the second game of a back-to-back and the Sabres inconsistent at best offensively, this game winds up under the number.
Prediction: Under 6.5
Chris King has been immersed in the world of professional and collegiate sports for more than three decades. Whether it's playing pickup games or being involved in organized sports to being a fan, he's checked all the boxes. From the NFL to arena football, the NHL to the KHL, the NBA to the WNBA to college hoops, and even MLB to the KBO. If it's out there, he's covered it and bet on it as well, as Chris has been an expert bettor in his career. Before joining Winners and Whiners back in 2015, his work appeared around the internet and in print. He's written books for Ruckus Books about college basketball, the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, golf, and the World Cup. If you're looking for the inside track on hitting a winner, do yourself a favor and read what Chris has to say.
