The Colorado Avalanche are traveling to take on the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center in what we believe should be an exciting NHL matchup for Tuesday night.
Both teams are looking to rebound after some tough losses, but only one will emerge with the dub tonight. To make the most of this bet, we’re breaking down the odds, game trends, and key stats to make the best bet for this matchup.
The Avalanche are coming into this game as slight favorites. DraftKings has them listed at -148 on the moneyline, while the Sabres sit as +124 underdogs. That’s not a big spread between these teams, but neither is coming in too hot.
The puck line is a bit more interesting, with Colorado at -1.5 (+170) and Buffalo at +1.5 (-205). The total goals line is set at 6.5, with the overpriced at +100 and the under at -120. That’s a bit higher than we expected, but nonetheless, it makes for a good under bet considering the recent trends show both teams struggling with consistency.
Buffalo has covered the puck line in only 50% of their games this season (12-12) and in each of their last 7 home games against opponents on a losing streak. Colorado, on the other, has covered just 28% of their puck line chances(7-18).
The Avalanche come into this game riding a two-game losing streak, capped off by a 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers during their road trip to E-Town.
Their offense still remains relatively decent, averaging 3.2 goals per game (ranked 12th in the NHL), but their defense has been somewhat shaky. They’ve allowed 3.7 goals per game (30th) so far this season.
Nathan MacKinnon leads the charge for the Avs with 36 points (7 goals and 29 assists), while Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen also continue to produce at elite levels as well. The star power is definitely there and those 3 are doing their share to keep the Avs relevant. However, goaltending has been a glaring issue. Alexandar Georgiev is posting a dismal .875 save percentage which is why the team isn’t doing better than we expect.
Despite their recent struggles, Colorado’s track record as road favorites simply cannot be ignored. They’ve dominated in this situation, even against teams with decent home records like Buffalo.
Like the Avs, the Sabres are also looking to bounce back. They’ve lost 3 straight games, most recently a 3-0 shutout to the Islanders. Finding the back of the net has been a problem. Their offense has been inconsistent, sitting 19th in goals per game (3.0), while their defense has been average and currently sits at 11th, allowing 3.0 goals per game.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been steady in net and a breath of fresh air for the struggling Sabres. Luukkonen has a nice .909 save percentage, which is a clear edge over Colorado's goaltending.
Key offensive players like Alex Tuch (22 points) and Tage Thompson (18 points) have shown a few flashes of brilliance but need more support to consistently threaten top teams.
Buffalo’s home performance has been somewhat lackluster recently, with only 1 win in their last 5 home games. They’re apparently not too hot in the KeyBank Center this year.
The Colorado Avalanche are our pick to win this game.
Despite their defensive woes and inconsistent goaltending, their offensive firepower should be enough to overcome a Sabres team that is struggling to find the back of the net.
Buffalo hasn’t found a rhythm and has failed to notch wins against slumping teams, making Colorado’s superior depth and star power the deciding factors heading into tonight.
While the puck line is tempting due to the high odds on Colorado, their recent trend of close games tells us that the safer bet is on the Avalanche moneyline at -148.
If you want a bit more value for your bet slip, you might want to take the under 6.5 total goals at -120, given these teams’ inability to clear 3 goals in their last 3 games
BettorsInsider Prediction: Colorado Avalanche 3, Buffalo Sabres 1
We feel that Colorado’s ability to perform under pressure as road favorites should shine through, securing a much-needed win in Buffalo in what will undoubtedly be an exciting NHL matchup.