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Sharks vs Sabres Game Preview, Odds, Picks & Predictions
Struggling Teams Looking to Get Back on Track
The San Jose Sharks and the Buffalo Sabres are keen to get back on track when they collide on Thursday night. The Sharks have lost two straight while the Sabres have lost four in a row, and neither side has recorded a win in the new calendar year. Something’s gotta give.
If the NHL odds were any indication, the Sharks have the upper hand as the small road favorites. However, given their form is suspect, the Sharks are in no way a guarantee bet.
- Game: San Jose Sharks (17-16-1) at Buffalo Sabres (10-17-6)
- Location: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
- Day/Time: Thursday, 7 p.m. ET
- Television: ESPN
San Jose Sharks vs Buffalo Sabres
Visitors on Two-Game Skid
The Sharks are riding a two-game losing streak into Thursday’s contest. They lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings in succession – a couple of road defeats that saw the Sharks outscored 14-7 combined.
The Sharks are in the midst of a four-game road stretch. Of the four treks, the Sabres probably present their best opportunity to clinch a road win. Hence, the favorable betting online outlook. Otherwise, it’s hard to reconcile the Sharks as a favorite in a game when form is so clearly suspect. The Sharks are 4-6-0 in their last 10 games.
Offensive struggles have let San Jose down. The Sharks are ranked 21st overall with an average of 2.70 goals per game. They’re 23rd in power play goals with 15 through 34 games played and 23rd in power play percentage at 17.4.
The defense is a mixed bag of tricks. The Sharks are 20th in goals against with an average of 3.15 goals per game. They’re fifth overall in penalty killing with an 83.9 percent. Goaltender James Reimer ranks 21st overall in the league with a 2.68 goals-against average through 20 starts and an 11-7-1 record.
Sabres look to Avoid Fifth Straight Loss
According to BetUs Sportsbook, Buffalo is slated to succumb to its fifth straight loss as the odds are stacked against the hosts in the betting.
The Sabres are sixth in the Atlantic Division with a subpar 10-17-6 mark and 26 points through 33 games. In the last 10 games, the Sabres are 2-5-3, which includes four straight losses against the Penguins, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and, most recently, the Boston Bruins.
Over the course of this four-game losing streak, the Sabres were outscored 15-9. Their last game was a bit of a close call and a disappointing loss, though, as the Sabres succumbed 4-3 in extra time.
Buffalo’s anemic offense, which has accounted for just 89 goals and an average of 2.64 goals per game, has the Sabres ranked inside the bottom 10 in the league. The defense isn’t all that much better with 3.49 goals per game allowed (27th in the league).
Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has had a modest account thus far in his limited starts. He’s 2-3-2 for the season with a 2.54 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
Streak Buster?
At face value, this is a matchup between two of the league’s stragglers. At the crux of it, it’s a game between two teams that aren’t that vastly different. And so, with the playing field level, this could be quite an intriguing game to spot for NHL picks.
The Sharks look to be the better bet, but the Sabres may well fancy their chances against the West Division stalwarts. Put it this way, betting -130 on the Sharks given their current form seems rich. The Sabres as the small home underdogs at +110 strike a more attractive pose.
Alternatively, forgoing the game winner and backing the totals in this game might be the best bet of all. The defensive issues both sides are facing tips the balance toward the over here. This could be a veritable scoring bonanza that will make the so-called offensive struggles that both teams have suffered against elite opponents feel over-exaggerated.
As always, with any bets, the opportunity to place individual bets or a same-game parlay exists. Below, these three betting options are listed for your consideration.
