The KeyBank Center plays host to an intriguing showdown as the Buffalo Sabres square off against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. The game will get going at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 1, and you’ll be able to catch this East-West matchup live on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds
Buffalo (-150) is the favorite over Chicago (+130) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-130 for the over, +110 for the under).
Earning moneyline bettors 4.5 units, the Sabres are 25-25 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a remarkable improvement over the 25-57 record from the 2017-18 season campaign. Through 50 regular season outings, 27 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 14-9 SU at home this season.
Buffalo has converted on just 16.7 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 25th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.8 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.2 times per game overall this season, and 1.8 per game over its last five match ups. The team’s had to stave off opposition power plays for just 6.0 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 27.6 saves per game with a .911 save percentage, Carter Hutton (15-17-3) has been the top option in goal for the Sabres this year. If they decide to give him a rest, however, the team could turn to Linus Ullmark (11-9-9 record, .916 save percentage, 2.83 goals against average).
The Sabres will continue to look for offensive production out of Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner. Eichel (53 points) has tallied 16 goals and 37 assists and has recorded two or more points in 19 different games this year. Skinner has 31 goals and 14 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 32 games.
In the other locker room, Chicago is 18-33 straight up (SU) and has lost 10.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. 30 of its outings have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under the total and just three have pushed. Chicago’s 8-17 SU as the away team this season.
Chicago has converted on 20.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully killed off 74.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago’s players have been penalized only 3.3 times per game this season, 3.0 per game over their past five outings total, and 2.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (28.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Chicago. Crawford has six wins, 17 losses, and two OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .902 save percentage and 3.28 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Blackhawks will be Patrick Kane, who has 29 goals and 42 assists this year.
Chicago Blackhawks at Buffalo Sabres Free Picks
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The Blackhawks are 6-14 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 13-25 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- Chicago is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Buffalo is 3-1 in shootouts.
- Buffalo skaters have forced 7.2 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 6.3 takeaways per game (ranked 27th in the NHL).
- Chicago is ranked 21st overall this season with 7.2 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower, however, as the team has averaged 6.4 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.0 takeaways over its last five.
