A couple of the least-penalized teams in the league, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Buffalo Sabres face off at the KeyBank Center in an Eastern Conference matchup. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 15, and fans at home can witness the game live on MSG Western New York.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds
Carolina is 12-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.9 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 14 of its matches have gone over the total, while another 14 have gone under and just two have pushed. As a road team this season, the Canes are 6-11 SU.
Carolina has converted on just 15.3 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked 27th out of 31 teams, and it’s successfully killed off only 76.7 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Carolina has been penalized just 2.8 times per game overall this season, 2.4 per game over its past five outings total, and 2.4 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 7.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .899 save percentage and 23.8 saves per game, Scott Darling (7-15-6) has been the best option in goal for Carolina this season. If it chooses to rest him, however, head coach Bill Peters could go with Cam Ward (5-4-1), who has a .907 save percentage and 2.96 goals against average this year.
The visiting Hurricanes have relied on Teuvo Teravainen and Sebastian Aho heavily this season. Teravainen (24 points) is up to eight goals and 16 assists, and has recorded multiple points in six different games. Aho has seven goals and 14 assists to his name (and has registered a point in 14 games).
Over on the other bench, Buffalo is 8-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 15.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 32 regular season outings, 17 of its games have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just three have pushed. This season, the team’s 4-10 SU as the home team.
Buffalo has converted on just 13.1 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Buffalo skaters have been sent to the penalty box only 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays 8.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner has denied 26.4 shots per game as the top netminder in goal for Buffalo. Lehner has seven wins, 18 losses, and four overtime losses and has recorded a mediocre 2.84 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this year.
The home team offense will be led by Evander Kane (14 goals, 14 assists).
Carolina Hurricanes at Buffalo Sabres Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
The total has gone under in three of Buffalo’s last five outings.
The Hurricanes have averaged the league’s second-most shots on goal (35.2) and Buffalo has attempted the 23rd-most (only 30.4).
The Sabres are 2-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 7-17 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
Three of Carolina’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 2-1 in those games and 3-3 overall in shootouts this season.
Buffalo skaters have averaged 5.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 5.4 takeaways per game (ranked 29th).
Carolina skaters have created 7.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 10.5 takeaways per game (ranked fourth).
