Two clubs that are squaring off for the third and final time this year, the Buffalo Sabres and the Philadelphia Flyers face off at the Wells Fargo Center for an Eastern Conference tilt. The action gets going at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 7, and it’ll be televised live on Sportsnet.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers Odds
The Flyers are 18-23 straight up (SU) and have lost 8.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to the 39-43 record the team posted during the 2016-17 season campaign. Of its 41 games this season, 21 have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 10-12 SU at home this season.
Philadelphia has converted on 20.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 29th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.4 percent of all penalties.
Philadelphia, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.7 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over its past five outings total, and 3.2 per game over its last five home outings. The teams had to kill penalties for 10.8 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
With a .910 save percentage and 26.9 saves per game, Brian Elliott (16 wins, 18 losses, and seven OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for the Flyers this season. Elliott did just play last night, however, so head coach Dave Hakstol might opt to give him a breather and turn to Michal Neuvirth instead (2-7-7 record, .915 save percentage, 2.67 goals against average).
Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek will each be offensive focal points for the Flyers. Giroux (51 points) has tallied 14 goals and 37 assists and has recorded two or more points 14 times this year. Voracek has eight goals and 41 assists to his name and has notched a point in 26 games.
Buffalo is 10-31 straight up (SU) and has lost 20.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 41 regular season contests, 21 of its games have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just three have pushed. Buffalo’s 5-18 SU as the away team this season.
Buffalo has converted on just 11.9 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 23rd overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Buffalo’s skaters have been penalized only 3.6 times per game in total this season, 3.0 per game over their past five contests total, and 3.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner (27.0 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Buffalo. Lehner owns a 9-22-6 record, while registering a .911 save percentage and 2.90 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Sabres will be Jack Eichel (15 goals, 20 assists) and Evander Kane (16 goals, 19 assists).
Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Flyers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in three of Philadelphia’s last five games.
- The Sabres are 3-10 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 8-23 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- Philadelphia has created 4.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a slight drop from its season average of 5.4 takeaways per game (ranked 29th in the league).
- Buffalo has scored just 2.3 goals per game (while allowing 4.3) over its three-game losing streak.
- Buffalo has created 6.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 5.5 takeaways per game (ranked 28th in the league).
