The KeyBank Center will be hosting a cross-continent tilt as the Buffalo Sabres prepare to face the visiting Calgary Flames. Sportsnet Flames will broadcast the matchup, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 30.
Calgary Flames at Buffalo Sabres Odds
Buffalo (-115) is currently favored over Calgary (-105), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
The Sabres are 6-5 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 2.6 units this season. That early-season winning percentage is a welcomed improvement over the 25-57 record from the 2017-18 season campaign. Through 11 regular season matches, seven of the team’s games have gone over the total, while four have gone under and none have pushed. So far this year, the team’s 3-2 SU at home.
Buffalo has converted on 20.9 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.8 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 3.8 times per game this season, a number that’s up some from the 3.4 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 8.2 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 9.1 minutes per matchup this season.
Averaging 28.5 saves per game with a .905 save percentage, Carter Hutton (four wins, four losses) has been the best goalkeeper for the Sabres this year. If the Sabres decide to give him the evening off, however, the team might turn to Linus Ullmark (2-1-1 record, .935 save percentage, 2.00 goals against average).
The Sabres will continue relying on offensive production out of Jeff Skinner and Jack Eichel. Skinner (12 points) has put up six goals and six assists and has recorded two or more points three times this year. Eichel has three goals and eight assists to his name and has recorded a point in five games.
Calgary is 6-6 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 12 regular season outings, seven of its games have gone over the total, while four have gone under the total and none have pushed. As a road team, Calgary is 4-3 SU so far.
Calgary has converted on just 14.9 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 24th overall and it’s successfully killed off 72.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Calgary’s skaters have been penalized only 3.5 times per game this season. Last season, that number was at 4.4, which was the second-highest mark in the league. After serving an average of 11.2 penalty minutes per game a year ago (most in the league), the team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for only 7.6 minutes per matchup this season.
Mike Smith (23.2 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Calgary. Smith has four wins, five losses, and one OT loss to his credit, and has registered a .878 save percentage and 3.55 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Flames, the offense will be facilitated through Johnny Gaudreau (five goals, 10 assists) and Matthew Tkachuk (four goals, nine assists).
Calgary Flames at Buffalo Sabres Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Trends
After posting a 2-5 record in games decided by a shootout last year, Calgary is off to a 0-1 start in shootouts this season. Buffalo went 1-2 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
The over has hit in each of Buffalo’s last five games.
Calgary skaters recorded 20.0 hits per game last season, while the Sabres logged 21.5 hits per contest.
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