Sabres vs Golden Knights Prediction

pickdawgz.com

15 December 2023

The Buffalo Sabres will play the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Buffalo has alternated wins and losses over their last five games, while Vegas comes into this game on a four game winning streak. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Sabres vs Golden Knights prediction.

Sabres Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are 12-15-3 this year after they lost to Colorado by a score of 5-1 in their last game. Buffalo allowed the first three goals in this game and they never really had a chance in this one. The Sabres out shot Colorado by a total of 30-29 and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Buffalo defeated Arizona by a score of 5-2 in the game prior to Colorado, but lost to Montreal in the game before that. The Sabres are scoring 2.83 goals per game and they are allowing 3.33 goals against per game, while going 13.6% on the power play and 81.1% on the penalty kill. Rasmus Dahlin has led the Sabres with seven goals, 17 assists, and 79 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is 6-6-1 this season with a 2.99 goals against average and a .901 save percentage.

Golden Knights Preview

The Vegas Golden Knights are 20-5-5 this season after they defeated Calgary in overtime by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Vegas led 4-3 late in the third, but allowed Calgary to tie the game with a minute left, before winning in overtime. The Golden Knights out shot Calgary by a total of 39-31 and went 2-4 on the power play in the game. Vegas has also defeated San Jose, Dallas, and St. Louis during this four game winning streak. The Golden Knights are scoring 3.37 goals per game and they are allowing 2.40 goals against per game, while going 22.7% on the power play and 87.2% on the penalty kill. Jack Eichel has led Vegas with 12 goals, 21 assists, and 123 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Vegas is Logan Thompson, who is 9-3-3 this season with a 2.39 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.

Vegas Golden Knights Team Facts

The Golden Knights have won seven of their last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents.
The Golden Knights have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 night games at T-Mobile Arena following an overtime win.
The Golden Knights have won the third period in each of their last four games at T-Mobile Arena following a home win.
The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 3' market has hit in each of the Golden Knights' last seven games as favorites against the Sabres.

Buffalo Sabres Team Facts

The Sabres have won two of their last three games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last four games against Pacific Division opponents.
The Sabres have lost the first period in five of their last six games as underdogs.
The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in seven of the Sabres' last eight games against Pacific Division opponents.

Vegas Golden Knights Player Prop Facts

Nicolas Roy has scored a goal in three of his last four home appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
William Karlsson has recorded a point in eight of the Golden Knights' last nine home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Jack Eichel has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Golden Knights' last 10 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Jonathan Marchessault ranks T1st in the Pacific Division for shootout goals (3) this season.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

Dylan Cozens has recorded at least one point in 13 of the Sabres' last 14 games against Pacific Division opponents.
Kyle Okposo has recorded an assist in each of the Sabres' last three games against the Golden Knights.
Tage Thompson has the most Shorthanded Goals for the Sabres this season (2).

Matchup/League Facts

The Vegas Golden Knights are one of three teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
The Vegas Golden Knights ranks T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (1).
The Buffalo Sabres ranks 31st in the league for Period 1 goals allowed per game this season (1.30).
The Buffalo Sabres ranks 29th in the league for Period 1 goals scored per game this season (0.70).

Sabres vs Golden Knights Betting Prediction

Buffalo has been pretty inconsistent so far this season and they are 6-8-2 on the road this year. Buffalo did not start their road trip on the right foot, as they lost 5-1 in Colorado. Vegas has won four games in a row and has scored 22 goals in those four wins. The Golden Knights are 11-2-2 at home this season and they are only allowing 2.40 goals against per game. Vegas is the much better team in this matchup, especially on the power play/penalty kill, and I expect them to get a big win here. Take Vegas -1.5 in this game.