In their first head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Buffalo Sabres and the Edmonton Oilers take the ice at Rogers Place. This East-West matchup will get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 8 and it’s being shown live on Sportsnet.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Edmonton Oilers Odds
Edmonton (-160) is tabbed as the favorite over Buffalo (+140), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -110 for the over and -110 for the under.
The Oilers are 18-13 straight up (SU) and have earned 5.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, ranked first in the Pacific Division so far this season, is a refreshing turnaround from how the team performed during last year’s regular season (35-47). Through 31 regular season outings, 15 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while another 15 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 8-6 SU at home this season.
Edmonton comes into the matchup with the strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 32.2 percent of their extra-man chances this year. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated second overall, and it’s successfully killed off 86.6 percent of all penalties.
Edmonton, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 3.6 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over its past five matchups total, and 3.2 per game over its last five home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 8.3 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 27.7 saves per game with a .921 save percentage, Mikko Koskinen (11-7-2) has been the primary option in goal for the Oilers this season. If head coach Dave Tippett chooses to give him the night off, however, the team may turn to Mike Smith (7-9-9 record, .905 save percentage, 2.88 goals against average).
The Oilers will continue seeking offensive production out of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Draisaitl (53 points) has produced 19 goals and 34 assists and has recorded two or more points on 15 separate occasions this year. McDavid has 19 goals and 33 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 23 contests.
On the other bench, Buffalo is 13-17 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 30 regular season matches, 15 of its games have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under the total and none have pushed. Buffalo’s 5-11 SU as the visiting team this season.
Buffalo has converted on 18.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully killed off 73.6 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo’s players have been penalized 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s had to kill penalties just 7.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Linus Ullmark (2.94 goals against average and .914 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Buffalo. Ullmark is averaging 31.1 saves per game and has seven wins, eight losses, and two overtime losses to his credit.
Jack Eichel (18 goals, 23 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the visiting Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Edmonton Oilers Free Picks
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The total has gone under in three of Edmonton’s last five outings.
- Buffalo has attempted 31.0 shots per game overall this season (ranked 20th in the NHL), and 31.6 in its last 10 games.
- Power plays and penalty kills may prove to be even more key than usual tonight. The Sabres are 4-9 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 10-11 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Oilers are 8-3 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 13-10 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Buffalo is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Edmonton is 2-1 in shootouts.
- Edmonton is ranked 10th in the NHL this season with 8.4 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended down recently, however, as the team has averaged 7.5 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.6 takeaways over its last five.
- Buffalo skaters have created 6.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 5.2 takeaways per game (ranked 31st overall).
- Edmonton may hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 9-3 in games decided by one goal, while Buffalo is just 4-10 in such games.
