A couple of teams currently on losing streaks, the Buffalo Sabres and the Los Angeles Kings clash at the Staples Center in an East-West tilt. This one will get going at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 20 and it will be broadcasted live on Fox Sports West.
Buffalo Sabres at Los Angeles Kings Odds
Buffalo is 3-4 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season SU winning percentage is a welcomed improvement over the 25-57 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Four of its games have gone under the total, while three have gone over. The Sabres are 1-2 SU on the road in 2018-19.
The Sabres have scored on 13.8 percent of their power play chances so far. That’s a fairly big drop-off from last season, when they were ranked 20th in the league by scoring on 19.1 percent of their extra-man opportunities. Their penalty kill has fallen off noticeably, as they’ve gone from successfully defending 77.9 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked 22nd overall last season) to 69.6 percent this year.
For the team as a whole, the Sabres have been penalized 4.1 times per game in the 2018-19 season, a number that’s jumped some from last year’s 3.4 penalties per game. After serving an average of 8.2 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 9.4 minutes per outing this year.
Averaging 30.5 saves per game with a .906 save percentage, Carter Hutton (2-4) has been the best option in goal for Buffalo this year. If head coach Phil Housley chooses to rest him, however, the team could turn to Linus Ullmark (1-0), who has a .1,000 save percentage and 0.00 goals against average this year.
Jack Eichel and Conor Sheary will both be offensive focal points for the visiting Sabres. Eichel (five points) is up to three goals and two assists this season; Sheary has three goals and one assist to his name through the early phase of the regular season.
Los Angeles is 2-5 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.2 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Four of its matches have gone under the total, while two have gone over and just one has pushed. It’s 1-2 SU as the home team thus far.
The Kings have killed off a remarkable 70.0 percent of all penalties, a few points lower than the 85.3 percent they recorded a year ago (when they were ranked first overall). They’ve found the net on 8.0 percent of their power plays this year after converting on 19.8 percent (ranked 18th in league) last season.
Kings skaters have been penalized 3.4 times per game this season, a number that’s pretty close to the 3.8 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 8.8 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 8.4 minutes per outing this season.
Jack Campbell has stopped 23.8 shots per game as the primary choice in goal for the Kings. Campbell has two wins and four losses to his name and has maintained a pedestrian 2.80 goals against average and a .917 save percentage this season.
Alex Iafallo (two goals, four assists) will lead the attack for the Kings.
Buffalo Sabres at Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes
The total has gone under in three of Los Angeles’ last five outings.
Los Angeles has allowed 3.3 goals per game overall this year, but is giving up 5.3 goals per matchup over its three-game losing streak.
+++++
