Two clubs that split their season series one win apiece last year, the Buffalo Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks clash at Rogers Arena. Sportsnet will broadcast this cross-continent matchup, which gets going at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 7.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds
Oddsmakers have not yet posted moneyline or Over/Under odds for this matchup.
Losing 1.6 units for moneyline bettors, the Canucks are 14-15 straight up (SU) overall in the 2019-20 season. That early-season winning percentage isn’t too far off from to the 35-47 record the team produced during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 29 regular season contests, 16 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just one has pushed. Thus far, the team’s 6-6 SU at home.
Vancouver’s converted on 25.7 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s good enough for fifth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.6 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Vancouver has been called for penalties 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its past five match ups. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays for just 7.3 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 28.7 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Jacob Markstrom (8-10-3) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Canucks this season. If they choose to give him the day off, however, head coach Travis Green might turn to Thatcher Demko (6-5-5 record, .912 save percentage, 2.83 goals against average).
Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller will each be focal points for the Canucks. Pettersson (32 points) is up to 12 goals and 20 assists and has recorded two or more points on nine different occasions this year. Miller has 12 goals and 17 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 20 games.
In the other locker room, Buffalo is 13-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.7 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 29 regular season outings, 14 of its games have gone over the total, while another 14 have gone under the total and none have pushed. As the away team this season, Buffalo is 5-10 SU.
Buffalo has converted on 17.9 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully defended 74.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Buffalo’s skaters have been penalized 3.6 times per game this season, 3.0 per game over their past five games total, and 3.0 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.6 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 owns a 7-8-2 record.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Sabres will be Jack Eichel, who’s got 18 goals and 21 assists this season.
Buffalo Sabres at Vancouver Canucks Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Buffalo is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Vancouver is 3-1 in shootouts.
- Buffalo skaters notched 19.1 hits per game last season, while the Nucks logged 21.9 hits per matchup.
