The Buffalo Sabres are coming off one of their biggest wins of the season, shutting out the Los Angeles Kings. The Colorado Avalanche are also playing decent hockey coming into tonight’s game, winning back-to-back NHL games for the first time in three weeks.
Let’s take a look at the NHL odds and NHL player stats to help us come up with our Sabres vs Avalanche prediction.
Last Game Records
This will be the second meeting for these two teams in the month of December. In their last meeting, both teams were able to get on the scoring train, with ten total goals scored between the two.
The Avalanche were able to come away victorious with a 6-4 victory. One big detail about this first game was the fact that the game was in Buffalo.
Matchup Information
Date: Thursday, December 15th, 2022
Time: 9:00 p.m.
Location: Denver, Colorado
Venue: Ball Arena
How to Watch: NHLPP/ESPN+
Buffalo Sabres vs. Colorado Avalanche Betting Analysis
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres hold the best offense in the league in terms of goal scoring as they are averaging 3.93 goals per game, which leads all other NHL teams. In their last five games, the Sabres are averaging 5.0 goals per game, including two six-goal games and a nine-goal game.
The real issue with the Sabres struggles has been their defense and goaltending play, giving up 3.55 goals per game, which is 25th in the league. In their last five games, Buffalo is giving up 2.8 goals per game.
In their last five home games, the Sabres are averaging 4.8 goals (inflated due to a nine-goal game). During those games, Buffalo is also giving up 3.6 goals per game.
Tage Thompson is having the season of a lifetime so far, currently leading all Buffalo Sabres players with 44 total points. Thompson has scored 23 goals and assisted on 21 others. In the month of December alone, Thompson has already recorded 15 points.
Rasmus Dahlin is the closest player to Thompson in points with 33 total. He has scored nine goals and has tacked on 24 assists. Dahlin, who had a career-high season last year with 53 total points, is set to blow that one out of the water.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looks set to be the starting goaltender in the contest tonight if the Sabres stay on their same rotation. He has a record of 3-3-1 and is giving up 4.00 goals per game. In his seven starts this season, Luukkonen has only given up less than three goals once.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche offense is averaging 3.07 goals per game, which is middle of the road in the league, coming in at 16th. In their last five games, the Colorado Avalanche schedule has been tough, causing their average to go down to 2.0 goals per game.
Colorado’s strong suit is their defense and goaltending, giving up 2.78 goals per game which is top 10 in the league. In their last five outings, the Avalanche are giving up 3.0 goals per game.
In their last five home games, Colorado is scoring 2.2 goals per game. In their last five home games, the Avalanche are giving up 2.6 goals per game.
Mikko Rantanen is leading the team with 36 total points. He has scored 19 goals and assisted on 17 others. In their last ten outings, Rantanen has recorded ten total points.
Cale Makar is the leading defenseman in terms of producing offensive points. Makar has recorded 25 total points, scoring six goals and assisting 19 others.
The Avalanche goaltender rotation has been all over the place. However, they have won their last two games with Pavel Francouz in goal. He has a record of 4-5 and is giving up 2.80 goals per game.
Updates
The biggest name on the NHL injury report for this game is Nathan MacKinnon. He will be out for a few more weeks after a blocked shot caused him to leave a game early, and he is not scheduled to be back until mid-January.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview
Let’s take a look at the odds that will help with our Sabres vs Avalanche prediction.
The Avalanche are a huge moneyline favorite in tonight’s game with -190 odds. The Sabres have odds of +165 to win the game outright.
The total goals for this game is set at 6.5. The under is sitting at -120 odds, while the over is getting even money odds.
The puckline for the Sabres is at +1.5 with -150 odds. The Avalanche are at -1.5 with +130 odds.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Colorado Avalanche Betting Prediction
While this game may be listed as the last game on the NHL schedule for tonight, there is potential for this to be the best NHL matchup. Both teams are not in a great position in their respective NHL standings. However, big wins can always get teams going in the right direction.
The offenses for both teams have the potential to score at any moment. Neither team’s goaltender is outrageously more impressive than the other, which means there should be quite a few goals scored in this game.
When making your NHL picks, if the over is still getting great odds, take the over.
Final Sabres vs Avalanche Prediction: 5-3 Colorado victory.
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