The KeyBank Center will play host to an Eastern Conference matchup as the Buffalo Sabres square off against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes. The action will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 18, and fans at home can view it live on MSG Western New York.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds
Carolina is 7-10 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 17 regular season matches, 10 of its games have gone over the total, while seven have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Hurricanes team is 4-5 SU on the road.
Carolina has converted on just 14.3 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. Its penalty kill is ranked 21st in the league, and the teams successfully killed off 78.9 percent of its penalties.
The Canes, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 2.5 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, 3.0 per game over its past five outings total, and 2.4 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 4.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 25.0 saves per game with a .905 save percentage, Scott Darling (5-8-4) has been the best option in goal for Carolina this year. If head coach Bill Peters chooses to rest him, however, Carolina could roll with Cam Ward (2-2), who has a .920 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average this year.
Jordan Staal and Teuvo Teravainen will both be offensive focal points for the visiting Hurricanes. Staal has 15 points on six goals and nine assists, and has recorded two or more points three times. Teravainen has six goals and nine assists to his name, and has notched at least one point in six games.
Buffalo is 5-14 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.4 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 19 regular season contests, nine of its games have gone over the total, while seven have gone under and just two have pushed. It’s 2-5 SU at home thus far.
The Sabres have converted on just 16.1 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.8 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo skaters have been whistled for penalties only 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 4.4 per game over their past five games. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner (24.6 saves per game) has been the top option in goal for the Sabres. Lehner has four wins, 10 losses, and two overtime losses and has recorded a mediocre 3.09 goals against average and a fairly-weak .903 save percentage this year.
Evander Kane (10 goals, eight assists) will pace the offensive counter for the Sabres.
Carolina Hurricanes at Buffalo Sabres Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The under has hit in three of Buffalo’s last five outings.
- The Hurricanes have averaged the leagues third-most shots on goal (35.7) while Buffalo has attempted the 22nd-most (just 30.6).
- Buffalo has averaged 1.8 goals per game, while giving up 3.5, over its four-game losing streak.
- Over Carolina’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-2 in those games).
- The Sabres this season have tallied the 10th-most hits per game (22.3).
