Both teams will be out to extend winning runs when the Buffalo Sabres (+175) are on the road to take on the Carolina Hurricanes (-210) at PNC Arena on Friday. The total is 6.5 (O: -110, U: -110)Buffalo (7-3-0) is coming off a high-scoring 6-3 win over the Penguins on Wednesday, their third consecutive win.
The Sabres committed four penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Victor Olofsson was the top goalscorer for the Sabres with two goals in regulation. Eric Comrie allowed three goals on 21 shots against (.857%) in the win.
Carolina (7-2-1) is playing the second of a back-to-back after earning a 4-3 shootout win over the Lightning yesterday, their third win in a row. Brady Skjei, Martin Necas, and Seth Jarvis each scored once for the Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen surrendered three goals on 26 shots (.884%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Hurricanes won two of the three games between the teams last season, including a 5-3 victory in their final meeting in April. Four players had two points for Carolina. Alex Tuch (1G 1A), Tage Thompson (1G 1A), and Jeff Skinner (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Buffalo. Antti Raanta got the win despite allowing three goals on 21 shots (.857%).
FACING OFF
Buffalo is averaging 4.30 goals per game so far this season, second in the NHL, and they are taking on a Hurricanes team that is allowing 2.80 goals a game (8th). Meanwhile, Carolina has found the net 3.10 times a game on average, 16th in the league, and the Sabres are allowing opponents to score 2.80 goals per game (8th).
Carolina averages more shots per game (38.1) than most teams in the league, ranking third, though the team’s 8.7% shooting percentage is 28th. With an average of 33.1 attempts, Buffalo ranks 10th.The Sabres’ 23.68% power play percentage ranks 11th in the league, while the Hurricanes are 24th with a conversion rate of 17.07%. When it comes to defending power plays, Buffalo has the league’s 19th-ranked PK% at 78.12%, while Carolina is 21st at 76.92%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Thompson (7G 7A) and Rasmus Dahlin (6G 8A) are the top skaters for the Sabres this season with 14 points each, eighth-most in the NHL. Thompson is among the league leaders in goals (9th). In the net, Craig Anderson (3-0-0) is Buffalo’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 1.67 GAA, third-best in the league, and a .946% save percentage, also third-best.
Comrie (4-3-0) leads the Sabres in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.29 and a save percentage of .898%.Necas leads the Hurricanes in scoring with 14 points. He has six goals and eight assists. Raanta (2-0-1) has the best goals against average for Carolina at 2.23. He has a save percentage of .913%. Andersen (5-2-0) has played the most games in net for the Hurricanes this season. He has a 2.66 GAA and a .894% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Buffalo is 3-1-0 away from home this season. Carolina is 2-1-0 at home this season. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are 1-0 without a day off and 1-0 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Sabres are 1-0 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Carolina Hurricanes (-210)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
