A couple of teams currently on losing skids, the Buffalo Sabres and the Colorado Avalanche collide at the Pepsi Center in an East-West matchup. Altitude Sports & Entertainment will air the action, which gets going at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Colorado Avalanche Odds
Colorado (+120) is entering this one as the underdog to Colorado (-140), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 to bet the under, +100 for the over).
Colorado is 12-13 straight up (SU) and has earned 1.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a surprising improvement over the 22-60 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Among its 25 games this season, 15 have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the team’s 8-5 SU at home.
The Avalanche have converted on 19.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 78.6 percent of all penalties.
The Avalanche, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.6 times per game overall this season, 4.4 per game over their past five contests total, and 4.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays for 8.8 minutes per game over their last five outings, overall.
Boasting a .905 save percentage and 28.5 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (8-7-1) has been the best option in goal for the Avs this season. If Colorado decides to give him a breather, however, the team may roll with Jonathan Bernier (4-7-7 record, .891 save percentage, 3.24 goals against average).
Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen will both spearhead the attack for the Avalanche. MacKinnon (29 points) has tallied eight goals and 21 assists and has recorded multiple points on nine separate occasions this year. Rantanen has eight goals and 13 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 13 contests.
Buffalo is 6-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 15.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 14 of its games have gone under the total, while 10 have gone over and just three have pushed. The Sabres are 3-11 SU as the road team this season.
The Sabres have converted on just 11.6 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 13th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Buffalo’s skaters have been called for penalties only 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 4.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner (24.3 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Buffalo. Lehner owns a 5-15-2 record, while registering a .903 save percentage and 2.98 goals against average this year.
Evander Kane (12 goals, 12 assists) will pace the attack for the visiting Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres at Colorado Avalanche Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Over Buffalo’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-6 in those games).
Buffalo has scored 2.1 goals per game overall this year, but has been averaging 0.3 goals per contest over its four-game losing streak.
The Sabres are 2-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 6-15 in games where they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total.
The total has gone under in four of Colorado’s last five outings.
Colorado has averaged 6.4 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 7.1 giveaways per game (the 4th-fewest in the league).
Buffalo skaters have averaged 8.0 giveaways over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 7.7 giveaways per game (the sixth-fewest in the league).
Buffalo skaters have accounted for the league’s ninth-most hits per game (22.9).
