Free NHL Picks Today: Buffalo Sabres vs Carolina Hurricanes 4/8/23

Offense meets defense at KeyBank Center on Saturday as the explosive Buffalo Sabres (38-32-7) play host to the steadfast Carolina Hurricanes (50-19-9). Carolina is coming off a 3-0 loss against the Predators on Thursday, ending a streak of three straight wins.

The Hurricanes committed only one penalty in the game, holding Nashville without a power play goal. Frederik Andersen only had 20 saves on 22 shots against (.909%) in the loss.

Buffalo beat the Red Wings 7-6 (SO) on Thursday. Dylan Cozens was the leading goal scorer for the Sabres, netting twice. Devon Levi stopped only 26 of 32 shots (.812%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Hurricanes have won both games between the teams this season, including a 5-1 victory in their most recent meeting in February, their third straight win against Buffalo.

Stefan Noesen (1G 1A), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (0G 2A), and Jalen Chatfield (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Carolina. Alex Tuch scored Buffalo’s only goal. Antti Raanta got the win, saving 29 of 30 shots (.966%).

FACING OFF

Carolina is averaging 3.17 goals per game for the season, 18th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sabres team that is allowing 3.65 goals a game (27th).

Meanwhile, Buffalo has found the net 3.58 times a game on average, third in the league, and will be looking to overwhelm the Hurricanes’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to 2.54 goals per game (2nd).

Carolina averages more shots (35.0) than most teams in the league, ranking third, though the team’s 9.2% shooting percentage is 28th. Buffalo’s average of 32.3 attempts ranks 10th.

The Sabres’ 23.83% power play percentage ranks eighth in the league, while the Hurricanes are 18th with a conversion rate of 20.33%. Carolina has been equally impressive at penalty killing, boasting the league’s second-highest PK% at 83.88%. Buffalo ranks 30th at 72.69%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 69 and 64 points this season, Martin Necas and Sebastian Aho have been the top skaters for the Hurricanes. In the net, Andersen (20-10-1) is Carolina’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.41 GAA and a .904% save percentage.

Tage Thompson leads the Sabres in scoring with 92 points. He has 45 goals (6th) and 47 assists in 74 games. Craig Anderson (10-11-2) has the best goals against average for Buffalo at 3.07.

He has a save percentage of .908%. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (17-11-4) has played the most games in net for the Sabres this season. He has a 3.61 GAA and a .891% save percentage.