In their second head-to-head matchup of the regular season, the Florida Panthers and the Buffalo Sabres take the ice at the KeyBank Center in an Atlantic Division tilt. This one gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 1 and it’s being shown live on Fox SportsNet Florida.
Florida Panthers at Buffalo Sabres Odds
Each side currently has an identical -110 money line for this one and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Florida is 20-28 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. 26 of its outings have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and none have pushed. As an away team in 2017-18, the Panthers are 9-17 SU.
Florida has converted on just 16.0 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Panthers have been penalized 4.5 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 6.2 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties an unhealthy 16.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 27.7 saves per game with a .911 save percentage, James Reimer (13-19-5) has been the best option in goal for Florida this year. If it decides to give him a rest, however, the team might turn to Roberto Luongo (6-9-2), who has a .928 save percentage and 2.62 goals against average this year.
Jonathan Huberdeau and Vincent Trocheck will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Panthers. Huberdeau (48 points) has tallied 17 goals and 31 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 11 different games. Trocheck has 18 goals and 28 assists to his nameand has logged a point in 33 games.
On the other bench, Buffalo is 14-36 straight up (SU) and has lost 18.7 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 50 regular season contests, 27 of its games have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 6-16 SU at home this season.
The Sabres have converted on just 16.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 23rd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Sabres players have been whistled for penalties only 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner (26.6 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Sabres. Lehner has 11 wins, 27 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit and has registered a .912 save percentage and 2.85 goals against average this season.
Jack Eichel (20 goals, 29 assists) will pace the attack for the hosts.
Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres Free Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Florida (2-3 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Buffalo fell short in its only shootout this season.
- The under has hit in four of Buffalo’s last five games.
- The Panthers have averaged the league’s second-most shots on goal (34.6) while Buffalo has attempted just the 22nd-most (30.9).
- Seven of Florida’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-5 in those games.
- The Sabres this season have tallied the 10th-most hits per game (22.7).
