Facing each other for the final time this season, the Winnipeg Jets and the Buffalo Sabres meet at the KeyBank Center in an East-versus-West matchup. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 9, and fans at home can watch it live on MSG Western New York.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds
Winnipeg (+145) is playing the role of underdog to Winnipeg (-165) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -115 for the over and -105 on the under.
Winnipeg is 25-18 straight up (SU) and has netted 6.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. 22 of its games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and just two have pushed. This 2017-18 Jets team is 9-14 SU on the road.
Winnipeg currently has the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 25.2 percent of its extra-man chances this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 81.5 percent of all penalties.
The Jets, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .923 save percentage and 27.5 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (23-12-6) has been the primary option in goal for Winnipeg this season. If Winnipeg chooses to rest him, however, they could turn to Steve Mason (2-8-1), who has a .899 save percentage and 3.47 goals against average this year.
The visiting Jets have relied on Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele heavily this year. Wheeler (50 points) is up to 14 goals and 36 assists, and has recorded two or more points 14 times. Scheifele has 15 goals and 23 assists to his nameand has notched at least one point in 21 games.
On the other side of the ice, Buffalo is 10-32 straight up (SU) and has lost 21.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. 22 of its contests have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 5-13 SU as the home team this year.
The Sabres have converted on just 12.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.8 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo players have been penalized only 3.6 times per game in total this season, 3.4 per game over their past five games total, and 3.4 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties just 7.4 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Robin Lehner (27.0 saves per game) has been the top choice in goal for the Sabres. Lehner has nine wins, 23 losses, and six overtime losses to his name and has registered a .911 save percentage and 2.87 goals against average this season.
Jack Eichel (15 goals, 21 assists) will lead the attack for the Sabres.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
The over has hit in three of Buffalo’s last five outings.
Buffalo has managed just 2.0 goals per game, while giving up 4.3, over its four-game losing skid.
Six of Winnipeg’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-1 in those games.
The Sabres this season have registered the sixth-most hits per game (23.6).
