A game between two squads currently on losing streaks, the Boston Bruins and the Buffalo Sabres collide at the KeyBank Center for an Atlantic Division tilt. The opening face-off takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 19, and you can watch it live on NBC Sports Network.
Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds
Buffalo (+140) is playing the role of underdog to Boston (-160), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-120 to bet the under, +100 for the over).
Boston is 15-15 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 16 of its contests have gone under the total, while 14 have gone over and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Bruins team is 6-7 SU on the road.
Boston has converted on 19.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked seventh overall, and it has successfully killed off 83.3 percent of all penalties.
The Bruins, as a collective unit, have been sent to the penalty box 4.2 times per game in the 2017-18 season, 4.2 per game over its past five matchups total, and 4.4 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s been forced to kill penalties a whopping 15.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Averaging 24.6 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (8-12-3) has been the top option in goal for Boston this season. If head coach Bruce Cassidy chooses to rest him, however, Boston could go with Anton Khudobin (7-5-2 record, .915 save percentage, 2.67 goals against average).
David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand will both lead the way for the visiting Bruins. Pastrnak has 30 points via 15 goals and 15 assists, and has recorded multiple points in eight different games. Marchand has 13 goals and 14 assists to his name, and has notched a point in 18 games.
Buffalo is 8-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 17.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 33 regular season matches, 18 of its games have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 4-11 SU at home this year.
The Sabres have converted on just 12.9 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 12th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.2 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo players have been sent to the penalty box only 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner has stopped 26.4 shots per game as the top selection in goal for the Sabres. Lehner has seven wins, 18 losses, and four overtime losses and has recorded a .911 save percentage and 2.84 goals against average this season.
Evander Kane (14 goals, 17 assists) will lead the attack for the Sabres.
Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
The under has hit in four of Buffalo’s last five games.
Over Buffalo’s last ten outings, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-4 in those games).
This game features two of the more physical defenses in the league. Boston skaters have accounted for the fourth-most hits in the league (24.3 per game) while the Sabres have handed the eighth-most (23.4).
