PPG Paints Arena will be hosting an Eastern Conference matchup as the Buffalo Sabres pay a visit to Western PA to meet the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s the third and final time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh will air the matchup, and the action gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2.
Buffalo Sabres at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Pittsburgh is 14-13 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 27 games this season, 15 have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the team is 8-3 SU at home.
The Penguins currently have the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve scored on 26.0 percent of their extra-man chances this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 23rd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 77.6 percent of all penalties.
The Penguins, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.7 times per game overall this season, and 3.8 per game over their past five outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays for just 8.0 minutes per game over their last five outings, in total.
With a .906 save percentage and 26.6 saves per game, Matt Murray (12-9-1) has been the primary option in goal for the Pens this year. If the Pens choose to give him the night off, however, the team might go with Tristan Jarry (3-2-2 record, .929 save percentage, 2.20 goals against average).
The Pens will continue to lean on the leadership from Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby. Kessel (32 points) has tallied 11 goals and 21 assists and has recorded two or more points on eight separate occasions this year. Crosby has 11 goals and 16 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 16 games.
Buffalo is 6-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 13.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 26 regular season matches, 13 of its games have gone under the total, while 10 have gone over and just two have pushed. As an away team so far, the Sabres are 3-10 SU.
The Sabres have converted on just 12.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 13th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.3 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo’s skaters have been called for penalties only 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their past five match ups. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner (.903 save percentage and 2.98 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Buffalo. Lehner is averaging 24.3 saves per game and owns a 5-15-2 record.
Evander Kane (12 goals, 11 assists) will lead the attack for the visiting Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres at Pittsburgh Penguins Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Six of Buffalo’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-5 in those games.
Buffalo has scored 2.1 goals per game overall this year, but has been averaging 0.0 goals per contest over its last three games (0-3 SU over that span).
The Sabres are 2-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 6-15 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 penalty minutes, total.
Pittsburgh could hold the upper hand if it’s a close one late. The team’s 9-7 in games decided by one goal, while Buffalo is 3-8 in such games.
The over has hit in four of Pittsburgh’s last five outings.
Pittsburgh has scored 2.9 goals per game overall this year, but is averaging 4.7 per matchup over its three-game win streak.
Pittsburgh is ranked 8th this season with 8.2 giveaways per game. That figure has regressed recently, as the team’s averaged 10.1 giveaways over its last 10 games and 10.8 giveaways over its last five.
Buffalo has averaged 8.8 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 7.9 giveaways per game (the sixth-fewest in the NHL).
This game features two of the more aggressive teams in the league. Buffalo skaters have dished out the 10th-most hits in the league (22.5 per game) while the Penguins have tallied the seventh-most (23.7).
