Wild vs Sabres Prediction
The Minnesota Wild and Buffalo Sabres face off on Friday in an NHL showdown at KeyBank Center.
Wild Playing on Tired Legs
Heading into Thursday’s game against the New York Rangers, the Wild had a 5-5-2 record overall and there has to be some concerns about how that will affect the defense. The defense has had some issues at times this season, and that can’t be the case here. The Wild on the season are averaging 3.58 goals, while their defense is giving up 4.0 goals per game. The offense is ranked 7th, but the defense has ranked 30th. Filip Gustavsson is expected to start in goal, and he sits with a 2-3-1 record and he is giving up 4.89 goals per game.
Wild Betting Trends
- The underdogs have won each of the Wild's last four games at KeyBank Center.
- The Wild have covered the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as underdogs on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Wild have lost the first period in nine of their last 12 games as underdogs.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in each of the Wild's last four games following a road loss.
What Sabres Offense Will Show up?
The Sabres sit with a 6-6-1 record overall, and the big question is what offense will show up in this game. Two games ago against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Sabres scored six goals and that was enough for the two goal victory. In the last game, the Sabres faced off against the Carolina Hurricanes, they were defeated 3-2. The Sabres are averaging 3.15 goals while their defense is giving up 3.15 goals per game. The offense is ranked 17th in the league and they need the offense to be good here.
Sabres Betting Trends
- The underdogs have won six of the last seven games between the Wild and Sabres.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last seven games between the Wild and Sabres.
- The Sabres have won the third period in six of their last seven games as favorites after coming off overtime.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in each of the Sabres' last five games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres ranks T4th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (88.00%).
- The Buffalo Sabres ranks 27th in the league in power play percentage this season (12.82%).
- The Minnesota Wild ranks 32nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (65.00%).
- The Minnesota Wild ranks 30th in the league for goals against per game this season (4.00).
Shane’s Free Pick
Filip Gustavsson is in goal and he’s been awful so far this season. He is giving up 4.89 goals and he’s going to really struggle again i this game. Look for the Sabres to have the good offense show up here, and they are going to score at least five goals here. On tired legs the Wild aren’t going to have the offense to keep up and this will be a victory by the Sabres. Back the Sabres on the money line.
