Two teams that’ve positioned themselves firmly in the playoff picture, the Anaheim Ducks and the Buffalo Sabres take the ice at the KeyBank Center. This cross-country matchup will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 22 and it can be caught live on Fox Sports West.
Anaheim Ducks at Buffalo Sabres Odds
Moneyline and Over/Under (O/U) odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
The Sabres are 20-16 straight-up (SU) and have earned 8.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Atlantic Division in this young season, is a remarkable improvement over the 25-57 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Among its 36 games this season, 19 have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 11-6 SU at home this year.
Buffalo’s converted on 18.4 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated sixth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.2 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Buffalo has been penalized just 3.5 times per game overall this season, 3.6 per game over its last five matchups total, and 3.4 per game over its last five home outings. The team has had to defend opposition power plays for just 7.9 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
With a .917 save percentage and 28.0 saves per game, Carter Hutton (13-12-2) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Sabres this season. Hutton did just play last night, however, so the Sabres might choose to give him the evening off and instead turn to Linus Ullmark (8-4-4 record, .915 save percentage, 2.94 goals against average).
Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner will each be focal points for the Sabres. Eichel (46 points) has tallied 14 goals and 32 assists and has recorded two or more points on 17 separate occasions this year. Skinner has 25 goals and 12 assists to his name and has notched a point in 25 games.
On the other hand, Anaheim is 19-18 straight up (SU) and has earned 4.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 37 regular season outings, 22 of its games have gone under the total, while 13 have gone over and just two have pushed. As an away team, Anaheim is 9-9 SU so far.
Anaheim has converted on just 14.7 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 27th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 18th overall and it’s successfully defended 79.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Anaheim’s players have been penalized 4.1 times per game in total this season, 3.8 per game over their past five outings total, and 4.2 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
John Gibson (2.54 goals against average and .926 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson is averaging 29.6 saves per game and owns a 16-14-4 record.
For the visiting Ducks, the offense will be heavily coordinated by Ryan Getzlaf, who has 20 assists and nine goals this season.
Anaheim Ducks at Buffalo Sabres Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Buffalo is 3-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Anaheim is 3-2 in shootouts.
- For both of these clubs, the over has hit in four of their last five outings.
- Anaheim has managed 24.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Buffalo is averaging 36.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Anaheim skaters have accounted for the league’s 11th-most hits per game (22.6).
