The KeyBank Center will play host to a cross-country clash as the Buffalo Sabres face off against the visiting Anaheim Ducks. It’s the last time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 6, and it is being shown live on Prime Ticket.
Anaheim Ducks at Buffalo Sabres Odds
Anaheim is 25-29 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 54 regular season matches, 32 of its games have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just one has pushed. As a road team in 2017-18, the Ducks are 11-17 SU.
Anaheim has converted on 18.0 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and it has successfully killed off 81.0 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Ducks have been whistled for penalties 4.6 times per game overall this season, and 5.4 per game over its last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties 12.4 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
With a .922 save percentage and 29.4 saves per game, John Gibson (19-21-6) has been the best option in goal for Anaheim this season. If head coach Randy Carlyle decides to rest him, however, the team could turn to Ryan Miller (7-11-5 record, .915 save percentage, 2.67 goals against average).
The visiting Ducks will be led by Rickard Rakell and Ryan Getzlaf. Rakell (44 points) has tallied 21 goals and 23 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 12 different games. Getzlaf has seven goals and 26 assists to his credit (and has registered a point in 17 games).
On the other side of the rink, Buffalo is 14-38 straight up (SU) and has lost 20.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 28 of its games have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 6-18 SU at home this season.
The Sabres have converted on just 16.1 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the bottom 5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.4 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo players have been sent to the penalty box only 3.6 times per game in total this season, 3.4 per game over their past five match ups total, and 3.6 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays 12.8 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Robin Lehner (26.7 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Sabres. Lehner has 11 wins, 28 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit and has maintained a .914 save percentage and 2.80 goals against average this year.
Jack Eichel (20 goals, 29 assists) will pace the attack for the Sabres.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Buffalo Sabres Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Anaheim (3-5 in shootouts) has significantly more experience this season in games decided by shootout. Buffalo fell short in its lone shootout this season.
- The under has hit in four of Buffalo’s last five games.
- Buffalo has averaged 2.3 goals per game overall this season, but has been averaging 1.0 goal per matchup on its three-game losing skid.
- This game features two of the tougher defenses in the league. Anaheim skaters have accounted for the sixth-most hits in the league (24.5 per game) while the Sabres have handed the 11th-most (22.6).
