The Ottawa Senators (-130) play host to the Buffalo Sabres (+110), who will be out to extend their winning streak, at Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday. The total is 6.5 (O: -120, U: +100)Both teams will be playing their second game in as many days.
The Sabres are 1-4 without rest, while the Senators are 1-1. Buffalo (18-14-2) is coming off a 4-3 overtime win over the Bruins yesterday, their sixth win in a row. The Sabres committed six penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal.
Alex Tuch led the Sabres with two goals. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen saved an impressive 37 of 40 shots (.925%) in the win. Ottawa (16-17-3) is playing the first of four games at home after a 4-2 loss against the Red Wings yesterday. Austin Watson and Claude Giroux each scored once for the Senators. Cam Talbot only had 21 saves on 25 shots against (.840%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have split their two meetings this season, the most recent of which was a 4-1 victory for the Senators in November. Tim Stuetzle (1G 1A) and Jake Sanderson (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Ottawa. Tage Thompson scored Buffalo’s only goal. Anton Forsberg got the win, saving 29 of 30 shots (.966%).
FACING OFF
Buffalo is averaging 4.00 goals per game for the season, best in the NHL, and they are taking on a Senators team that is allowing 3.19 goals a game (17th). Meanwhile, Ottawa has found the net 3.00 times a game on average, 23rd in the league, and the Sabres are allowing opponents to score 3.38 goals per game (23rd).
The Sabres’ 28.68% power play percentage is the third-best in the league, while the Senators rank sixth with a conversion rate of 27.41%. When it comes to defending power plays, Ottawa has the league’s ninth-ranked PK% at 82.03%, while Buffalo is 25th at 73.50%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 51 points this season, fifth-most in the NHL, Thompson is the top skater for the Sabres. He is among the league leaders with 27 goals (2nd) and has added 24 assists. In the net, Craig Anderson (7-4-1) is Buffalo’s top goaltender. He has a 2.65 GAA and a .922% save percentage, fifth-best in the league.
Brady Tkachuk (38 points), Alex DeBrincat (36), and Drake Batherson (35) lead the Senators in scoring. Tkachuk has 13 goals and 25 assists, while DeBrincat has 13 goals and 23 assists in 36 games. Batherson has 12 goals and 23 assists. Talbot (10-8-1) has the best goals against average for Ottawa at 2.67. He has a save percentage of .914%.
HOME AND AWAY
Buffalo has won four in a row away from home this season. Ottawa is 9-8-1 at Canadian Tire Centre this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Ottawa Senators (-130)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
