Two clubs that many consider to be the two weakest in the NHL, the Ottawa Senators and the Buffalo Sabres meet at the KeyBank Center for an Atlantic Division tilt. MSG Western New York will air the action, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 12.
Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres Odds
The moneyline for each side is currently set at an identical -110, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -125 for the under and +105 for the over.
Ottawa is 9-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 13.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 28 regular season outings, 15 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Senators team is 5-9 SU on the road.
Ottawa has converted on just 16.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 28th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 26th overall, and it’s successfully killed off only 77.1 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Sens have been penalized just 3.7 times per game this season, and 4.4 per game over its last five on the road. The teams been forced to kill penalties 8.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 24.5 saves per game with a .895 save percentage, Craig Anderson (8-14-3) has been the primary option in goal for Ottawa this season. If it decides to give him a rest, however, the team might turn to Mike Condon (3-7-4), who has a .902 save percentage and 3.29 goals against average this year.
Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Senators. Stone has 25 points on 14 goals and 11 assists, and has recorded multiple points eight times. Hoffman has nine goals and 12 assists to his credit, and has logged a point in 16 games.
On the other side of the rink, Buffalo is 7-23 straight up (SU) and has lost 16.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 30 regular season contests, 16 of its games have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 3-10 SU at home this season.
The Sabres have converted on just 12.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Buffalo players have been sent to the penalty box 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to kill penalties 8.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner has denied 26.5 shots per game as the top choice in goal for the Sabres. Lehner has six wins, 17 losses, and four OT losses to his credit and has recorded a pedestrian 2.91 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this season.
The home team offense will be led by Evander Kane (13 goals, 14 assists).
Ottawa Senators vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Ottawa (1-4 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Buffalo emerged victorious in its one shootout this season.
- The under has hit in three of Buffalo’s last five outings.
- Over Ottawa’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 0-6 in those games).
- This game features two of the tougher teams in the league. Ottawa skaters have accounted for the 10th-most hits in the league (22.6 per game) while the Sabres have handed the ninth-most (23.4).
