The KeyBank Center is the site for an East-West showdown as the Chicago Blackhawks pay a visit to Buffalo to meet the Sabres. It’s the final time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The opening face-off takes place at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 17, and it’ll be shown live on WGN Channel 9.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds
Chicago is 30-41 straight up (SU) and has lost 15.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. 37 of its matches have gone under the total, while 31 have gone over and just three have pushed. As the away team this season, the Hawks are 13-23 SU.
Chicago has converted on just 15.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 16th out of 31 teams, and the team’s successfully killed off 80.4 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Hawks have been sent to the penalty box just 3.4 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over its last ten outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 5.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .929 save percentage and 27.9 saves per game, Corey Crawford (16-12-2) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago this year. If head coach Joel Quenneville chooses to rest him, however, the team may roll with Anton Forsberg (10-21-3), who has a .905 save percentage and 3.04 goals against average this year.
Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Blackhawks. Kane has 67 points on 25 goals and 42 assists, and has recorded two or more points 18 times. Toews has 19 goals and 30 assists to his credit, and has notched a point in 33 games.
On the other side of the ice, Buffalo is 22-48 straight up (SU) and has lost 16.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. 34 of its games have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just four have pushed. It’s 10-25 SU as the home team this year.
The Sabres have converted on just 17.4 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.0 percent of all penalties.
Sabres players have been whistled for penalties 3.6 times per game in total this season, 3.2 per game over their past five contests total, and 3.2 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner has stopped 27.3 shots per game as the top selection in goal for the Sabres. Lehner has 14 wins, 37 losses, and nine overtime losses to his name and has recorded a mediocre 2.93 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this season.
The home team will be led on offense by Jack Eichel (22 goals, 31 assists).
Chicago Blackhawks at Buffalo Sabres Betting Picks
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Buffalo is 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Chicago is 1-1 in shootouts.
The over has hit in four of Buffalo’s last five games.
The Blackhawks have averaged the league’s fifth-most shots on goal (34.3) and Buffalo has attempted the 23rd-most (just 30.6).
Six of Buffalo’s last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 2-4 overall in those games.
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