In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres take the ice at the KeyBank Center in an Eastern Conference tilt. The match will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 1, and fans at home can watch it live on Sportsnet.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres Odds
Pittsburgh is 13-13 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 15 of its contests have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Penguins team is 5-10 SU on the road.
Pittsburgh currently touts the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 26.3 percent of its extra-man opportunities this year. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 26th overall, and it’s successfully killed off only 76.7 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Pens have been called for penalties 4.7 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, and 4.0 per game over its past five games. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
With a .906 save percentage and 26.6 saves per game, Matt Murray (12-9-1) has been the best option in goal for Pittsburgh this year. If head coach Mike Sullivan chooses to rest him, however, Pittsburgh could roll with Tristan Jarry (2-2-2 record, .907 save percentage, 2.83 goals against average).
Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby will both be offensive focal points for the visiting Penguins. Kessel (32 points) is up to 11 goals and 21 assists, and has recorded multiple points eight times. Crosby has 10 goals and 15 assists to his name (and has notched at least one point in 15 games).
On the other bench, Buffalo is 6-19 straight up (SU) and has already lost 13.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. 13 of its outings have gone under the total, while 10 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team’s 3-9 SU at home this season.
The Sabres have converted on just 12.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Sabres skaters have been called for penalties only 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five games. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner has stopped 24.4 shots per game as the top selection in goal for the Sabres. Lehner has five wins, 14 losses, and two overtime losses and has maintained a mediocre 2.92 goals against average and a poor .906 save percentage this season.
Evander Kane (12 goals, 11 assists) will lead the attack for the Sabres.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Six of Buffalo’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 1-5 overall in those games.
The Sabres are 2-6 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 6-14 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total.
Pittsburgh might have an advantage if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 9-7 in games decided by one goal, while Buffalo is 3-8 in such games.
Buffalo is ranked 6th this season with 8.0 giveaways per game. That figure has trended higher lately, as the team’s averaged 9.1 giveaways over its last 10 games and 9.6 giveaways over its last five.
Pittsburgh is ranked ninth this season with 8.3 giveaways per game. That figure’s trended upward, as the team’s averaged 10.2 giveaways over its last 10 games and 10.8 giveaways over its last five.
This game features a couple of the tougher teams in the league. Pittsburgh skaters have accounted for the league’s eighth-most hits per game (23.8) and the Sabres have registered the 10th-most (22.2).
