Buffalo Sabres vs. Ottawa Senators Prediction, NHL Odds
Thursday night in the NHL brings us a massive matchup between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators. This is the third of four meetings this season, as Buffalo looks to beat Ottawa for the third time this season.
The NHL is in crunch-time, and these teams are well in the thick of their respective battles. Now it is time to see how this game may play out with our Sabres vs. Canucks prediction.
Sabres vs. Senators NHL Betting Odds
On the puck line this season, neither team has blown away anybody, as Buffalo is 42-33 and Ottawa is 33-41. The Sabres are at +1.5 (-250) and Senators are at -1.5 (+205). Buffalo has shown more money line dominance this season (46-29), but come into this one as underdogs (+105). Ottawa has shown mediocre money line results (38-36), but are favourites on home ice (-130).
Within the game totals, some shaky goaltending has made Ottawa familiar with high-scoring games (39-33-2 to the over), with less goals being seen in Buffalo games (35-37-3 to the over). The line is at 6.5 goals for this game, with -105 for the over, and -115 for the under.
Brady Tkachuk (+150) leads the way in goal-scoring odds, and as the captain tries to drag his team to the playoffs, it may be a good shout. Tage Thompson (+155), Tim Stutzle (+190), and Alex Tuch (+200) round out the top four.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres (46-21-8) have their sights on securing the first position in the entire Eastern Conference, and boy do they look serious about obtaining it. They have won two-straight games and now tie the Carolina Hurricanes with, leading the conference with 100 points. However, with seven games to go this race will only intensify, so every point counts.
While they are on the road, they have performed well in enemy territory this season (22-11-4), and match up quite well against this struggling Senators team. Defensively, there are two major discrepancies that could send the Sabres to a victory. Buffalo currently owns the NHL’s third-best save percentage (.907), while Ottawa is dead last (.877). Furthermore, they own a top-five penalty kill (81.7%), while Ottawa owns the 30th overall penalty kill (74.7%).
They score well at 3.44 goals per game, and are quite healthy. They have already taken down Ottawa twice this season, and look poised to do so again.
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators (38-26-10) are in dire straits. After an absolutely incredible run of 15-3-2, Ottawa has suddenly become ice cold and have now lost three-straight games. This current losing streak is highlighted by a disgraceful 6-3 loss to a Florida Panthers team that won’t even be in the playoffs.
Ottawa has been average at home winning just over half of their games (18-11-6), and they are welcoming in a very tough opponent. Buffalo outmatches them in goals per game (3.44 vs. 3.30), goals against average (2.95 vs. 3.10) penalty kill (81.7% vs. 74.7%), and save percentage (.907 vs. .877) to name a few key categories.
Numbers aside, injuries to their two best defenders in Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot have clearly been a key factor, and their likely absence will make this one a tough task.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Sabres vs. Senators?
The Sabres outmatch the Senators in many key matchups, and have proven to be a structurally-sound team as opposed to Ottawa’s inconsistency. Any team missing their two best defencemen are typically in for a world of pain, which has been the case for Ottawa. Ottawa is running with no mojo, as the stress seems to be fully within their locker room. I expect the surging Sabres to continue their dominance and win 4-2.
