Two clubs that are facing each other for the final time this season, the Buffalo Sabres and the Edmonton Oilers collide at Rogers Place in an East-West matchup. The game will get started at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 23 and it’ll be televised live on Sportsnet West.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Edmonton Oilers Odds
Losing -10.3 units for moneyline bettors, the Oilers are 21-26 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That early-season winning percentage is a big slide from what the team managed during last years regular season (47-35). Out of its 47 regular season contests, 24 of them have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 10-13 SU at home this year.
Edmonton has converted on just 15.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that puts the team in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 32nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 72.7 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Edmonton has been penalized 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five contests at home. The teams had to stave off opposition power plays for just 7.8 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 26.0 saves per game with a .902 save percentage, Cam Talbot (18-19-2) has been the top option in goal for the Oilers this season. If they, however, decide to rest him, the team might turn to Laurent Brossoit (3-10-10 record, .886 save percentage, 3.22 goals against average).
The Oilers will continue to lean on the leadership via Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McDavid (53 points) has tallied 15 goals and 38 assists and has recorded two or more points on 14 separate occasions this year. Draisaitl has 12 goals and 27 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 25 contests.
Buffalo is 12-35 straight up (SU) and has lost 23.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 47 regular season outings, 23 of its games have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just three have pushed. Buffalo’s 6-20 SU as a road team this season.
Buffalo has converted on just 14.0 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Buffalo’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.6 times per game in total this season, 3.6 per game over their past five games total, and 4.0 per game over their last five road outings. The teams had to kill penalties 12.4 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Robin Lehner (26.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Buffalo. Lehner owns a 9-26-6 record, while registering a .907 save percentage and 3.06 goals against average this year.
Jack Eichel (19 goals, 26 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the visiting Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Edmonton Oilers Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The under has hit in three of Edmonton’s last five outings.
- The Oilers have averaged the leagues fifth-most shots on goal (34.2) while the Sabres have attempted just the 21st-most (34.2).
- Edmonton has averaged 2.8 goals per game overall this season, but is scoring 4.0 per match up across its three-game winning streak.
- Over Buffalo’s last ten games, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-4 in those games).
- This game features two of the more physical defenses in the league. Buffalo skaters have accounted for the 10th-most hits in the league (22.9 per game) and the Oilers have tallied the most (26.6).
