The KeyBank Center will be the site for an enticing matchup as the Buffalo Sabres face off against the visiting Winnipeg Jets. This East-West matchup will get started at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 23 and it’ll air live on The Sports Network.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds
Oddsmakers have not yet posted moneyline or Over/Under odds for this matchup.
Winnipeg is 32-31 straight up (SU) and has netted 4.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 63 regular season contests, 32 of its games have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Jets are 16-14 SU as an away team in 2019-20.
Winnipeg has converted on 20.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 26th out of 31 teams, and it has successfully killed off only 76.7 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Winnipeg has been sent to the penalty box just 3.2 times per game this season, and 4.8 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays 14.0 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Averaging 28.5 saves per game with a .918 save percentage, Connor Hellebuyck (27-24-5) has been the top option in goal for Winnipeg this year. Hellebuyck did just play yesterday, however, so the team may decide to rest him and go with Laurent Brossoit instead (7-11 record, .893 save percentage, 3.32 goals against average).
The visiting Jets have relied on Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor this season. Scheifele (66 points) is up to 26 goals and 40 assists, and has recorded multiple points 18 times. Connor has 30 goals and 33 assists to his name, and has logged at least one point in 39 games.
On the other bench, Buffalo is 28-33 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 29 of its outings have gone over the total, while another 29 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the team’s 18-14 SU at home.
Buffalo has converted on 20.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 30th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 74.7 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo players have been called for penalties only 3.2 times per game this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 4.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Linus Ullmark (28.5 saves per game) has been the top selection in the crease for Buffalo. Ullmark has 16 wins, 17 losses, and three OT losses to his name and has maintained a mediocre 2.72 goals against average and a .914 save percentage this year.
Jack Eichel (35 goals, 42 assists) will pace the attack for the Sabres.
Winnipeg Jets at Buffalo Sabres Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- For both of these clubs, the total has gone over in three of their last five matches.
- The Jets are 15-19 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 21-27 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- Winnipeg is 3-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Buffalo is 1-2 in shootouts.
- Buffalo skaters have averaged 5.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 5.2 takeaways per game (ranked 30th).
- Winnipeg is ranked 23rd this season with 6.8 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down recently, however, as the team has averaged 6.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.8 takeaways over its last five.
- Winnipeg may have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 15-12 in one-goal games, while Buffalo is 13-15 in such games.
