The Buffalo Sabres, fueled by Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart, are set to take the ice against Mathew Barzal, Josh Bailey, and the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum in an Eastern Conference matchup. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 30, and you can catch the game live on MSG Plus 2.
Buffalo Sabres at New York Islanders Odds
New York comes into the matchup as the heavy favorite with a -230 moneyline. The line for Buffalo sits at +190, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-130 for the under, +110 for the over).
New York is 45-33 straight-up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 16.0 units this year. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a welcomed improvement over the 35-47 record from the 2017-18 season campaign. Of its 78 games this season, 26 have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just five have pushed. Thus far, the team is 23-16 SU at home.
The Islanders have converted on just 14.7 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 20th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 26.4 saves per game with a .926 save percentage, Robin Lehner (24-19-5) has been the primary option in goal for the Isles this year. If New York chooses to rest him, however, the team may roll with Thomas Greiss (25-17-17 record, .926 save percentage, 2.32 goals against average).
Buffalo has lost 12.7 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 31-46 straight up (SU). Through 77 regular season contests, 41 of its games have gone over the total, while 33 have gone under the total and just three have pushed. As the visiting team, the Sabres are 11-28 SU.
The Sabres have converted on 18.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 18th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Carter Hutton (27.9 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Buffalo. Hutton owns a 17-30-5 record, and has registered a .909 save percentage and 2.98 goals against average this year.
Buffalo Sabres at New York Islanders Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Islanders are 4-5 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Sabres are 5-3 in shootouts.
- For both of these clubs, the under has hit in three of their last five outings.
- Over Buffalo’s last ten games, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 0-8 in those games).
- The Islanders this season have recorded the ninth-most hits per game in the NHL (24.7).
