The KeyBank Center is playing host to an enticing matchup as the Buffalo Sabres welcome the visiting Carolina Hurricanes. This Eastern Conference matchup gets started at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 14, and it will be shown live on MSG Western New York.
Carolina Hurricanes at Buffalo Sabres Odds
With a -135 moneyline, Carolina heads into the game as the favorite. The line for Buffalo sits at +115, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -130 under, +110 over.
Carolina is 10-8 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. 10 of its outings have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and none have pushed. The Canes are 3-5 SU as the road team in 2019-20.
Carolina has converted on 22.4 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for eighth-best in the NHL. Its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.8 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Carolina has been penalized 4.3 times per game this season, and 3.4 per game over its last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties 8.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 23.5 saves per game with a .907 save percentage, Petr Mrazek (8-4-1) has been the best option in goal for Carolina this year. If it chooses to give him a rest, however, head coach Rod Brind Amour may roll with James Reimer (2-5 record, .901 save percentage, 3.10 goals against average).
Dougie Hamilton and Andrei Svechnikov will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Hurricanes. Hamilton has 19 points via eight goals and 11 assists, and has recorded multiple points four times. Svechnikov has seven goals and 11 assists to his creditand has logged at least one point in nine games.
On the other bench, Buffalo is 9-8 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 1.9 units this year. Nine of its outings have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and none have pushed. It’s 5-3 SU as the home team this season.
Buffalo has converted on 24.6 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 25th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
The Sabres have been penalized only 3.2 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 5.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carter Hutton has denied 28.1 shots per game as the top option in goal for Buffalo. Hutton has six wins, four losses, and one OT loss and has recorded a 2.39 goals against average and a .921 save percentage this season.
The home team will be led on offense by Jack Eichel (eight goals, 11 assists).
Carolina Hurricanes at Buffalo Sabres Free Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- For both of these clubs, the under has hit in three of their last five matchups.
- After averaging 33.8 shot attempts as a team last season (the third-most in the league), Carolina’s attempted 34.1 shots per contest overall this season, and 31.8 in its last five road games.
- Buffalo has averaged 2.9 goals per game this year, but has been averaging 1.6 goals per matchup in its last five contests (the team is 0-5 SU over that stretch).
- Eight of Carolina’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 3-5 in those games.
- Carolina skaters registered 26.7 hits per game last season, while the Sabres posted 19.1 hits per contest.
