There are only two games on Wednesday’s NHL schedule, and we’re focusing on the Penguins vs Sabres best bets in this article.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost their last five games, while the Buffalo Sabres have been a surprise to start the season and have won their previous two games. Read on, and you’ll likely be surprised by our best bets.
Can the Penguins stop their terrible losing streak, or will the Sabres continue to surprise, impress, and hand the Penguins a sixth-straight loss?
Read on for our Penguins vs Sabres best bets to get you ready for puck drop that’s set for 7:30 P.M. ET from Buffalo, New York.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres
- Game: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres
- Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
- Start Time: Wednesday, November 2, 2022. 7:30 P.M. ET
- Watch: TNT
Last Game Record
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres have not played in the 2022-23 season, so there is no recent head-to-head.
In the 2021-22 season, the Buffalo Sabres had a 2-0-1 record against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Sabres averaged 2.67 goals, while the Penguins averaged 2.33 goals in their three head-to-head matchups.
However, these two teams are very different from the teams that met last season.
Recent Runs of Form
More important to our best bets are the Penguins’ and Sabres’ recent runs of form. The Pittsburgh Penguins started strong but have lost their last five games in a row, with only one game ending in a one-goal spread.
The Buffalo Sabres have vastly improved over last season, and their start to the season is emblematic. The Sabres have won three of their previous five games, with two of those games ending in a one-goal spread.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres Analysis
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins enter Wednesday’s matchup in Buffalo with a 4-4-2 record, having lost their last five games.
Notably, Wednesday’s matchup is the second half of back-to-back games. The Penguins were more competitive last night, losing 6-5 to the Boston Bruins in overtime.
The Penguins jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the second period before the mighty Boston Bruins stormed back to tie the game at five on a Taylor Hall goal at 18:43 of the third period before ultimately losing in overtime. Tristan Jarry made 34 saves in the overtime loss.
Penguins’ Team Stats
Stats can tell a lot about NHL teams, and the Penguins’ team stats are those of a team that will win fifty percent of their games.
The Penguins have averaged 3.70 goals per game and 3.50 goals against per game. The Penguins’ powerplay is operating at 20.5%, while the penalty kill is operating at 70.6%.
Notably, the Penguins have an extensive list of players listed as day-to-day on the NHL injury report.
Sidney Crosby Is Leading
While he’s not atop the NHL player stats leaders, Sidney Crosby leads the Pittsburgh Penguins with twelve points (five goals, seven assists), while Evgeni Malin has ten points (five goals, five assists).
We expect Pittsburgh to start Casey DeSmith against the Buffalo Sabres. Tristan Jarry (4-2-1, 3.42 GAA, .904 save percentage) started against the Boston Bruins last night.
DeSmith has a 0-2-1 record, with a 2.97 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres have been a tremendous surprise to open the season and find themselves higher in the NHL standings than expected before the season started.
The Sabres have a 6-3-0 record and are our pick for the Penguins vs Sabres best bets. The Sabres have averaged 4.11 goals per game and 2.78 goals against per game.
Better than the Penguins
The Sabres’ special teams are currently better than the Penguins’: the Sabres have operated at 23.5%, while the penalty killers are operating at 79.3% efficiency.
In their previous outing, the Sabres put on an offensive show, defeating the Detroit Red Wings 8-3. Tage Thompson had a night scoring six points (three goals, three assists), while Eric Comrie made fifteen saves in the win.
Thompson Taking the Lead
Budding Buffalo superstar Thompson shares a lead for the Sabres in NHL player stats with Rasmus Dahlin, each scoring twelve points (six goals, six assist).
Newly acquired Alex Tuch has nine points (six goals, three assists) and could be a potential prop bet target.
The Buffalo Sabres have had a regular goaltending rotation, so we think that Comrie will be starting for the Sabres against the Penguins.
Comrie has a 3-3-0 record, posting a 3.34 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. He might be a veteran, but Craig Anderson is a competent backup who can win against the Penguins if he gets the start.
Anderson has a record of 3-0-0, with a 1.66 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage.
Penguins vs. Sabres Odds Breakdown
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the money line favorite listed between -125 and -130. The Penguins are 4-6 on the moneyline.
The Penguins odds on the puck line spread are listed at -1.5, with odds between +170 and +200. The Penguins are 4-6 against the spread.
The total goals is set to 6.5. The over is listed with odds ranging from -109 to -125, while the under is listed between +100 and -110. The Penguins are 6-4 on the over/under.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are the moneyline underdog, listed between +105 and +110 odds. The Sabres are 6-3 on the money line.
The Sabres are listed at +1.5 on the puck line spread, with odds ranging from -225 to -250 odds. Buffalo is 6-3 against the spread.
Betting records are essential to our Penguins vs Sabres best bets and will factor into our Sabres picks. The Buffalo Sabres are 3-5 on the over/under in 2022-23.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Pick and Prediction
Best Bet #1
Our betting picks could be called our Sabres picks. We’re taking the Buffalo Sabres to win on the moneyline.
The Sabres have been very impressive to start the season, and with Pittsburgh riding a losing streak and playing on back-to-back nights, we like the Sabres to win on the moneyline.
The Sabres shouldn’t be the moneyline underdog in this matchup.
NHL Pick: Sabres (-100)
Best Bet #2
Our theme of Sabres picks continues as we are taking the Sabres to cover the spread of +1.5.
We’re parlaying the Sabres on the moneyline with the Sabres on the puck line spread as our Penguins vs Sabres best bets.
NHL Pick: Sabres +1.5 (-245)
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