Calgary Flames vs. Buffalo Sabres Prediction, NHL Odds
The Flames dropped a 3-2 decision in Washington on Monday night, extending their overall losing streak on the road to three games. The Sabres are coming off a 3-2 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning, and have now earned the win in five of seven home dates since mid-March.
This contest is pegged as a pick ‘em on the Thursday NHL odds, with the Flames and Sabres sporting -110 odds. However, the Flames have emerged as a short +250 bet to cover a +1.5-goal spread on the puckline. The total is pegged at 6.5, with the OVER sporting -115 odds.
Flames vs. Sabres NHL Betting Odds
Thursday night’s matchup at KeyBank Center marks the first of two scheduled regular season meetings between these clubs. These teams split a pair of dates last season, with the road team emerging victorious in each. That extends a trend that has the road team earn the win nine times in their past 10 dates, with the Flames skating to victory in each of their past five visits to Buffalo. Calgary has limited the Sabres to just six total goals during their 5-0-0 run in Buffalo, fuelling a 3-1 run for the UNDER over their past four head-to-head matchups at KeyBank Center.
Calgary Flames
For a second straight night, the Flames struggled to light the lamp in Monday’s loss to the Capitals. Calgary has scored just two goals in each of their first two games of the season, and has particularly struggled on the road when facing Eastern Conference opponents, scoring two or fewer goals eight times while losing 11 of their past 12. However, the Flames have had their chances during their current swoon. The club outshot the Capitals by a wide 40-23 margin after outshooting Pittsburgh by a 36-20 margin in last weekend’s 5-2 defeat. Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman lead the squad with nine shots apiece, but have failed to record a point this season. However, Dillon Dube is coming off a two-point night in Washington, and has picked up seven points in his past nine road appearances.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres needed overtime to escape with their first victory of the season, a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, but scoring has come at a premium for this club in the early going. The Sabres have scored just six total goals during a 1-2-0 start that, and managed to blow an early 2-0 lead on Tuesday despite outshooting the Lightning by a 31-24 margin. Rearguard Rasmus Dahlin has provided the spark through the first three games of the season, recording nine shots on goal, and tallying a pair of assists. Things have not gone so well for Tage Thompson, who has been held pointless in three outings despite leading the squad with 12 shots on goal. However, Thompson has recorded a pair of goals and one assists over his past four games versus the Flames.
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