In their first of three head-to-head meetings this season, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Buffalo Sabres meet at the KeyBank Center. This Eastern Conference matchup gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 21 and it’s being shown live on NSP+ and NBCS.
Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres Odds
Philadelphia (+110) is entering this one as the underdog to Buffalo (-130) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -115 for the over and -105 on the under.
The Sabres are 13-8 straight-up (SU) and have netted 8.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the league so far this season, is a huge turnaround from what the team managed during the 2017-18 season (25-57). Among the team’s 21 games this season, 11 have gone over the total, while nine have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 6-3 SU at home this season.
Buffalo’s converted on 17.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated eighth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.3 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Buffalo has been penalized just 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five games. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 6.7 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .917 save percentage and 27.6 saves per game, Carter Hutton (nine wins, seven losses, and one OT loss) has been the most dependable option in goal for the Sabres this season. If they choose to give him a rest, however, Buffalo may go with Linus Ullmark (5-1-1 record, .922 save percentage, 2.65 goals against average).
Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner will each lead the offensive attack for the Sabres. Eichel (24 points) has tallied five goals and 19 assists and has recorded multiple points on eight separate occasions this year. Skinner has 14 goals and eight assists to his credit and has notched a point in 12 contests.
In the other locker room, Philadelphia is 9-11 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 20 regular season contests, 13 of its games have gone over the total, while seven have gone under the total and none have pushed. As the visiting team, Philadelphia is 5-4 SU so far.
Philadelphia has converted on just 16.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully killed off 68.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Philadelphia’s skaters have been penalized 4.5 times per game in total this season, and 5.4 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays 8.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Brian Elliott (.911 save percentage and 2.59 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Philadelphia. Elliott is averaging 25.0 saves per game and owns a 7-7 record.
Claude Giroux (seven goals, 17 assists) has been one of the top facilitators on offense for the visiting Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the total has gone under in three of their last five matchups.
- Buffalo is scoring 3.1 goals per game over its six-game winning streak.
- Philadelphia skaters have accounted for the ninth-most hits in the league (23.4 per game), but the team’s recorded just 19.6 hits over their last five away games.
