A couple of clubs that have disappointed to start the season, the Florida Panthers and the Buffalo Sabres clash at the KeyBank Center in a divisional showdown. The action will get going at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, November 10, and fans at home can witness it live on MSG Western New York.
Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds
Buffalo (-125) is currently the favorite over Florida (+105), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-120 for the over, +100 for the under). Those O/U odds have moved after originally opening at -110 for both.
Losing -5.3 units for moneyline bettors, Buffalo is 5-10 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (33-49). Of its 15 games this season, eight have gone over the total, while five have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 2-4 SU at home so far this year.
The Sabres have converted on just 11.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 30th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 12th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.8 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Sabres have been penalized just 3.3 times per game this season, a number that’s pretty close to the 3.6 penalties per game they were whistled for last year. After serving an average of 9.0 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for only 6.9 minutes per matchup this year.
With a .902 save percentage and 22.5 saves per game, Robin Lehner (4-7-1) has been the primary option in goal for the Sabres this year. If head coach Phil Housley decides to give him a breather, however, Buffalo may turn to Chad Johnson (1-6-6 record, .878 save percentage, 3.84 goals against average).
Evander Kane and Jack Eichel will each lead the way for the Sabres. Kane (15 points) has produced nine goals and six assists and has recorded multiple points on three different occasions this year. Eichel has four goals and 10 assists to his name and has notched a point in nine games.
Florida is 4-10 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 14 regular season matches, 11 of its games have gone over the total, while three have gone under and none have pushed. The Panthers are 1-5 SU as an away team this season.
The Panthers have converted on 17.6 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully killed off 73.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Florida’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.9 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 4.1, which was the seventh-highest mark in the league. After serving an average of 9.9 penalty minutes per game a year ago (10th-most in the league), the team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 11.7 minutes per outing this season.
James Reimer (4.00 goals against average and .890 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Florida. Reimer is averaging 26.1 saves per game and has three wins, six losses, and one OT loss to his credit.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Panthers will be Vincent Trocheck (seven goals, nine assists) and Jonathan Huberdeau (five goals, 11 assists).
Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends:
- A majority (75.0 percent) of Florida’s wins have come by two or more goals, and the team is 3-6 overall in such games. 2 of Buffalo’s wins (40.0 percent) have been decided by two or more goals.
- Florida has scored just 3.0 goals per game (while allowing 5.2) over its last five games (0-5 SU over that span).
- Power plays and penalty kills may play a key role tonight. The Panthers are 1-4 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 1-5 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Sabres are 2-4 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 5-8 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- The over has hit in three of Florida’s last five outings.
