The KeyBank Center is playing host an East-West matchup as the Buffalo Sabres take on the visiting Colorado Avalanche. It’s the last time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. Altitude Sports & Entertainment will showcase the action, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 11.
Colorado Avalanche at Buffalo Sabres Odds
Colorado is 29-25 straight up (SU) and has earned 9.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 54 regular season outings, 29 of its games have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and just two have pushed. This 2017-18 Avalanche team is 10-17 SU on the road.
Colorado has converted on 19.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, it has the third-strongest penalty kill in the league, and it’s successfully killed off 83.5 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Avs have been called for penalties 4.1 times per game in the 2017-18 season, and 2.9 per game over its past ten outings. The teams been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sporting a .910 save percentage and 28.0 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (14-15-2) has been the primary option in goal for Colorado this year. Varlamov did just play last night, however, so Colorado could decide to rest him and instead go with Jonathan Bernier (16-12-2 record, .918 save percentage, 2.69 goals against average).
The visiting Avalanche have relied on Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen this year. MacKinnon (61 points) has tallied 24 goals and 37 assists, and has recorded two or more points 18 times. Rantanen has 17 goals and 34 assists to his credit (and has logged a point in 32 games).
Buffalo is 16-39 straight up (SU) and has lost 20.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 28 of its contests have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 7-19 SU as the home team this season.
The Sabres have converted on just 16.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the bottom 10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 23rd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Buffalo players have been penalized only 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 4.6 per game over their past five contests. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays a whopping 14.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Robin Lehner (26.8 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Sabres. Lehner has 12 wins, 29 losses, and seven OT losses to his credit and has registered a .913 save percentage and 2.84 goals against average this year.
Jack Eichel (22 goals, 31 assists) will lead the offensive counter for Buffalo.
Colorado Avalanche at Buffalo Sabres Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in three of Buffalo’s last five outings.
- Over Colorado’s last ten games, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 3-5 in those games).
- The Sabres this season have tallied the ninth-most hits per game (22.7).
