In their last head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Calgary Flames and the Buffalo Sabres clash at the KeyBank Center in a cross-continent showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 7, and you can catch it live on Sportsnet.
Calgary Flames vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds
Calgary (+115) is playing the role of underdog to Calgary (-135), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 over, +100 under). Those lines have shifted after originally opening at -125 over, +105 under.
Calgary is 32-35 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.4 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 67 regular season outings, 33 of its games have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just two have pushed. As the away team in 2017-18, the Flames are 18-16 SU.
Calgary has converted on just 17.9 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.7 percent of its penalties.
The Flames, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.4 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 6.8 per game over its last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties an unhealthy 15.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 29.0 saves per game with a .921 save percentage, Mike Smith (24-23-6) has been the best option in goal for Calgary this season. If head coach Glen Gulutzan chooses to rest him, however, Calgary might turn to David Rittich (7-9-3 record, .900 save percentage, 3.11 goals against average).
The visiting Flames have relied on Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan this year. Gaudreau (74 points) has tallied 20 goals and 54 assists, and has recorded two or more points 20 times. Monahan has 29 goals and 29 assists to his name (and has notched a point in 38 games).
On the other side of the rink, Buffalo is 21-45 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. 33 of its games have gone under the total, while 29 have gone over and just four have pushed. It’s 10-22 SU at home this year.
The Sabres have converted on just 17.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the bottom 10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 23rd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Sabres skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.6 times per game in total this season, 3.4 per game over their last five match ups total, and 3.2 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties 8.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner (27.0 saves per game) has been the top option in goal for the Sabres. Lehner has 13 wins, 34 losses, and eight OT losses to his name and has recorded a poor .909 save percentage and 2.97 goals against average this year.
The Sabres will be led on offense by Jack Eichel (22 goals, 31 assists).
Calgary Flames at Buffalo Sabres Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Calgary (2-5 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Buffalo fell short in its one shootout this season.
The under has hit in three of Buffalo’s last five outings.
Over Calgary’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-5 in those games).
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