Two teams on winning streaks, the Buffalo Sabres and the Florida Panthers collide at the BB&T Center in an Atlantic Division tilt. The action gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 2, and fans at home can catch it live on TVA Sports.
Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers Odds
Florida (-215) is currently favored over Buffalo (+180), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Losing -1.6 units for moneyline bettors, the Panthers are 30-31 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a welcome improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2016-17 season (35-47). Through 61 regular season outings, 32 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the team is 17-12 SU at home.
Florida has converted on 19.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 23rd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.8 percent of all penalties.
Florida, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five contests home outings. The team has had to stave off opposition power plays for just 7.0 minutes per game over its last five matchups, overall.
Averaging 27.9 saves per game with a .905 save percentage, James Reimer (15-20-5) has been the best option in goal for the Panthers this year. If they decide to give him a breather, however, the team might turn to Roberto Luongo (11-10-10 record, .928 save percentage, 2.58 goals against average).
Aleksander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck will both lead the offensive attack for the Panthers. Barkov (61 points) has put up 23 goals and 38 assists and has recorded multiple points on 16 different occasions this year. Trocheck has 24 goals and 33 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 41 games.
Buffalo is 20-44 straight up (SU) and has lost 15.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 64 regular season outings, 32 of its games have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just four have pushed. Buffalo’s 11-22 SU as the road team this season.
Buffalo has converted on just 17.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 20th overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.4 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo’s skaters have been penalized 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five match ups. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner (27.0 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Buffalo. Lehner has 13 wins, 33 losses, and eight OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .910 save percentage and 2.95 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Sabres will be Jack Eichel (22 goals, 31 assists) and Ryan O’Reilly (18 goals, 28 assists).
Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Florida (2-3 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 Florida’s last five outings.
The Panthers have averaged the league’s third-most shots on goal (34.4) while the Sabres have attempted just the 23rd-most (34.4).
Florida is averaging 3.0 goals per game in its last four games (the team’s a perfect 2-0 SU during that span).
Buffalo skaters have accounted for the 12th-most hits in the league (22.1 per game).
