The BB&T Center will play host to an enticing showdown as the Buffalo Sabres visit Florida to meet the Panthers. The action will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, November 30, and you are able to witness this divisional matchup live on Fox SportsNet Florida.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Florida Panthers Odds
Buffalo is 17-9 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 12.6 units this year. 12 of its matches have gone over the total, while another 12 have gone under and just one has pushed. The Sabres are 8-6 SU as the road team in 2018-19.
Buffalo has converted on 19.3 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 81.8 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, Buffalo has been sent to the penalty box just 3.5 times per game this season, 3.4 per game over its last five games total, and 3.4 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .917 save percentage and 28.2 saves per game, Carter Hutton (12-8-1) has been the best option in goal for Buffalo this season. Hutton did just play last night, however, so head coach Phil Housley may choose to rest him and roll with Linus Ullmark instead (6-1-1 record, .926 save percentage, 2.52 goals against average).
Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner will both lead the way for the visiting Sabres. Eichel has 30 points via five goals and 25 assists, and has recorded two or more points 10 times. Skinner has 19 goals and eight assists to his nameand has notched a point in 17 games.
Over on the other bench, Florida is 9-14 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 11 of its matches have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 4-6 SU as the home team.
Florida has converted on 25.8 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for sixth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 76.4 percent of all penalties.
The Panthers have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five match ups. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 6.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
James Reimer (23.1 saves per game) has been the top option in goal for Florida. Reimer has five wins, 10 losses, and two OT losses to his name and has registered a subpar .894 save percentage and 3.36 goals against average this year.
The Panthers will be led on offense by Jonathan Huberdeau (five goals, 19 assists).
Buffalo Sabres vs. Florida Panthers Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes
For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their last five outings.
Buffalo has managed 31.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Florida is averaging 37.4 shots per game over its last five at home.
Power-play chances could play a key role in tonight’s game. The Sabres are 7-5 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 13-5 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Panthers are 7-9 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 4-10 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Buffalo is 3-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Florida is 1-2 in shootouts.
Florida has managed 12.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 9.5 takeaways per game (ranked 3rd in the league).
Buffalo is ranked 30th overall with 5.0 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher lately, as it has managed 5.9 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.6 takeaways over its last five.
Buffalo may hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s an impressive 10-3 in one-goal games, while Florida is 4-8 in such games.
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