Predators vs Sabres Prediction
The Nashville Predators will play the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Nashville has dropped two games in a row, while Buffalo has lost three of their last four games. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Predators vs Sabres prediction.
Predators Preview
The Nashville Predators are 11-12-0 this year after they lost to the Rangers by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Nashville led 2-0 and 3-1 in this game, but they blew the lead in the second period and allowed the only goal in the third for the loss. The Predators out shot New York by a total of 41-27 and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Nashville lost to Minnesota by a score of 6-1 in the game before New York, but they won the previous six games. The Predators are scoring 3.23 goals per game and they are allowing 3.27 goals against per game, while going 19.1% on the power play and 73.6% on the penalty kill. Filip Forsberg has led the Predators with 12 goals, 15 assists, and 95 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Nashville is Juuse Saros, who is 8-10-0 this year with a 3.17 goals against average and a .895 save percentage.
Sabres Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 10-12-2 this season after they lost to Carolina by a score of 6-2 in their last game. Buffalo allowed the first five goals in this game and never had a chance to make a comeback. The Sabres were out shot by a total of 35-22 and went 0-5 on the power play in the game. Buffalo has really struggled over the last few weeks and they have lost seven of their last ten games, with the three wins coming against the Rangers, Penguins, and Blackhawks. Buffalo is scoring 2.96 goals per game and they are allowing 3.35 goals against per game, while going 15.2% on the power play and 83.3% on the penalty kill. Casey Mittelstadt has led Buffalo with five goals, 16 assists, and 35 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is 6-4-1 this season with a 2.88 goals against average and a .905 save percentage.
Buffalo Sabres Team Facts
- The underdogs have won five of the last six games between the Predators and Sabres.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last nine games between the Predators and Sabres.
- The Sabres have won the third period in six of their last seven games following a road loss.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in each of the Sabres' last six games at KeyBank Center against opponents on a losing streak.
Nashville Predators Team Facts
- The Predators have won three of their last four games as underdogs.
- The Predators have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Predators have lost the second period in five of their last six games as underdogs.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 2' market has hit in each of the Predators' last 10 games following a loss.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- John-Jason Peterka has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres' last seven games against Central Division opponents.
- Tage Thompson has scored at least one goal in six of his last seven appearances with the Sabres as favorites against Central Division opponents.
- Alex Tuch has recorded at least one assist in each of his last five home appearances against the Predators.
- Victor Olofsson has the equal-most multi-assist games for the Sabres this season (3).
Nashville Predators Player Prop Facts
- Gustav Nyquist has recorded at least one point in 10 of the Predators' last 11 games.
- Roman Josi has recorded at least one assist in 10 of his last 11 appearances after playing the previous day.
- Luke Evangelista recorded an equal-career-high two assists in his last game against the Sabres.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres ranks 27th in the league for shots per game this season (28.8).
- The Buffalo Sabres are one of only six teams to not play in a game that have gone to shootout this season.
- The Nashville Predators ranks 29th in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (0.70).
- The Nashville Predators ranks T6th in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (2).
Predators vs Sabres Betting Prediction
Nashville had been playing great hockey over the last couple of weeks, but they have now lost two games in a row and will be on the road for this game. Buffalo has struggled over their last 10 games and they are only 5-5-0 at home this year. The Sabres have allowed six goals or more in three of their last four games and I cannot back them until I see better defense. Take the Predators to snap their two game losing streak in this matchup.
