The Buffalo Sabres (4-3-0) host the Chicago Blackhawks (4-3-0) at KeyBank Center on Saturday. Chicago is coming off a high-scoring 6-5 loss against the Oilers on Thursday, ending a four-game winning streak. The Blackhawks committed nine penalties in the game, conceding three power play goals. Five players found the net for the Blackhawks.
Max Domi and Patrick Kane both scored and provided two assists to lead the team in scoring. Alex Stalock only had 32 saves on 38 shots against (.842%) in the loss. Buffalo fell 3-2 to the Canadiens on Thursday. Jeff Skinner and Dylan Cozens both scored once for the Sabres. Eric Comrie had 31 saves in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sabres won both games between the teams last season, including a 3-2 (OT) victory in their final meeting in April. Casey Mittelstadt, Tage Thompson, and Owen Power were on the scoresheet for Buffalo. Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik were on the scoresheet for Chicago. Dustin Tokarski got the win, saving 19 of 21 shots (.904%).
FACING OFF
Chicago is averaging 3.57 goals per game so far this season, seventh in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sabres team that is allowing 2.71 goals a game (8th). Meanwhile, Buffalo has found the net 3.57 times a game on average, seventh in the league, and the Blackhawks are allowing opponents to score 3.29 goals per game (24th).
Chicago averages fewer shots a game (26.1) than most teams in the league, ranking 30th, though the team’s 13.7% shooting percentage is second. Buffalo has been one of the league’s best shot-stopping teams, ranking No. 5 with a team save percentage of .925%. Power play opportunities are likely to be plentiful for the Sabres, as the Blackhawks are averaging 5.71 penalties per game, second-most in the NHL.
The visitors’ 13.57 penalty minutes a game also ranks second-highest. The home team has been penalized 4.00 times a game (22nd) for an average of 8.00 minutes (24th).The Blackhawks’ 28.00% power play percentage ranks seventh in the league, while the Sabres are 22nd with a conversion rate of 15.38%. When it comes to defending power plays, Buffalo has the league’s 15th-ranked PK% at 79.17%, while Chicago is 22nd at 76.47%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With eight points this season, Kane is the top skater for the Blackhawks. He has two goals and six assists in seven games. In the net, Stalock (3-2-0) is Chicago’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.00 GAA and a .913% save percentage.
Rasmus Dahlin leads the Sabres in scoring with nine points. He has five goals (8th) and four assists. Craig Anderson (2-0-0) has the best goals against average for Buffalo at 1.00, best in the league. He has a save percentage of .970%, also best. Comrie (2-3-0) has played the most games in net for the Sabres this season. He has a 3.41 GAA and a .909% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 1-2-0 away from home this season. Buffalo is 1-2-0 at KeyBank Center this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Buffalo Sabres (-165)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your hockey needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
