Two clubs that are squaring off for the final time this season, the Dallas Stars and the Buffalo Sabres take the ice at the KeyBank Center in an East-West tilt. The puck drops at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 20, and you are able to catch the game live on Fox Sports Southwest.
Dallas Stars vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds
Dallas is 26-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. 26 of its outings have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and just one has pushed. The Stars are 10-14 SU as the road team in 2017-18.
Dallas has converted on 19.9 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 81.9 percent of its penalties.
Dallas, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.2 times per game this season, and 3.5 per game over its past ten games. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .917 save percentage and 25.9 saves per game, Ben Bishop (20-17-3) has been the primary option in goal for Dallas this year. If Dallas chooses to rest him, however, head coach Ken Hitchcock may roll with Kari Lehtonen (7-7-1), who has a .910 save percentage and 2.54 goals against average this year.
Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov will both lead the way for the visiting Stars. Benn (44 points) has tallied 18 goals and 26 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 10 different games. Radulov has 18 goals and 25 assists to his name (and has registered a point in 28 games).
On the other side of the ice, Buffalo is 11-34 straight up (SU) and has lost 22.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 45 regular season outings, 23 of its games have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 6-14 SU at home this year.
Buffalo has converted on just 14.0 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.7 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo players have been sent to the penalty box only 3.6 times per game in total this season, 3.6 per game over their last five match ups total, and 3.4 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays 9.4 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Robin Lehner has denied 26.7 shots per game as the primary choice in goal for Buffalo. Lehner has nine wins, 25 losses, and six OT losses to his name and has recorded a poor .909 save percentage and 2.97 goals against average this season.
The home team will be led on offense by Jack Eichel (18 goals, 25 assists).
Dallas Stars vs. Buffalo Sabres Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Dallas (3-2 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Buffalo fell short in its only shootout this season.
Dallas has managed 29.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Buffalo is averaging 33.8 shots per game over its last five at home.
Six of Dallas’ last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-2 in those games.
The Sabres this season have registered the eighth-most hits per game (23.4).
