The Arizona Coyotes (+135) play host to the Buffalo Sabres (-160) at Mullett Arena on Saturday. The total is 6.5 (O: -105, U: -115)Buffalo (14-14-2) is coming off a 4-2 win over the Avalanche on Thursday. The Sabres committed only two penalties in the game, holding Colorado without a power play goal.
Four players found the net for the Sabres. Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin both scored and provided an assist to lead the team in scoring. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen saved an impressive 39 of 41 shots (.951%) in the win. Arizona (10-14-4) is playing the second of a back-to-back after earning an exciting 5-4 win over the Islanders yesterday, their third win in a row at home.
Clayton Keller was the leading goal scorer for the Coyotes, netting twice. Nick Schmaltz had three assists to lead the team in scoring. Karel Vejmelka stopped only 30 of 34 shots (.882%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Coyotes won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-1 victory in November. Keller, Matias Maccelli, and Liam O’Brien each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Arizona. Thompson scored Buffalo’s only goal. Vejmelka got the win, saving 32 of 33 shots (.969%).
FACING OFF
Buffalo is averaging 3.93 goals per game for the season, best in the NHL, and they are taking on a Coyotes team that is allowing 3.61 goals a game (26th). Meanwhile, Arizona has found the net 2.82 times a game on average, 26th in the league, and the Sabres are allowing opponents to score 3.50 goals per game (23rd).
Arizona averages fewer shots a game (23.7) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 11.9% shooting percentage ranks second. With an average of 32.2 attempts, Buffalo ranks 11th. Expect multiple power play opportunities for the Sabres, as the Coyotes have been penalized 5.29 times a game, most in the NHL, for an average of 12.25 minutes (second-highest).
The visitors are averaging 4.03 penalties (15th) and 8.33 penalty minutes a game (24th). The Sabres’ 29.57% power play percentage is the second-best in the league, while the Coyotes rank 22nd with a conversion rate of 20.21%. In terms of defending power plays, Arizona has the league’s 20th-ranked PK% at 77.31%, while Buffalo is 27th at 72.00%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 46 points this season, third-most in the NHL, Thompson is the top skater for the Sabres. He is among the league leaders with 24 goals (2nd) and has added 22 assists. In the net, Craig Anderson (6-4-1) is Buffalo’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.71 GAA and a .921% save percentage.
Keller leads the Coyotes in scoring with 29 points. He has 12 goals and 17 assists. Vejmelka (8-8-3) has the best goals against average for Arizona at 3.07. He has a save percentage of .913%.
HOME AND AWAY
Buffalo is 7-6-0 away from KeyBank Center this season. Arizona is 4-2-1 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Buffalo Sabres (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
