Offense meets defense at KeyBank Center on Thursday as the dynamic Buffalo Sabres (32-27-4) host the suffocating Dallas Stars (34-17-13). Dallas is embarking on a six-game road trip coming off a high-scoring 5-4 loss against the Flames on Monday, ending a three-game unbeaten streak.
The Stars committed only two penalties in the game, holding Calgary without a power play goal. Four players found the net for the Stars. Jamie Benn scored and provided an assist to lead the team in scoring.
Jake Oettinger saved only 32 of 37 shots against (.864%) in the loss.Buffalo fell 3-2 to the Islanders on Tuesday. Dylan Cozens and Kyle Okposo both scored once for the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen saved 36 of 39 shots in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sabres won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-2 (OT) victory in January. Tage Thompson led Buffalo with two points (0G 2A). Joe Pavelski led Dallas with two points (0G 2A). Craig Anderson got the win, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935%).
FACING OFF
Dallas is averaging 3.31 goals per game for the season, 12th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sabres team that is allowing 3.54 goals a game (24th).
Meanwhile, Buffalo has found the net 3.68 times a game on average, third in the league, and will be looking to overpower the Stars’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to 2.62 goals per game (4th).
The Sabres’ 25.12% power play percentage is the fourth-best in the league, while the Stars rank eighth with a conversion rate of 22.96%. While efficient on the power play, Buffalo has been less successful at penalty killing, as the hosts possess the league’s second-lowest PK% at 72.93%. Dallas’ 83.17% ranks sixth in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 80 points this season, eighth-most in the NHL, Jason Robertson is the top skater for the Stars. He is among the league leaders with 38 goals (8th) and has added 42 assists.
In the net, Oettinger (26-9-10) is Dallas’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.36 GAA and a .921% save percentage, fourth-best in the league.
Thompson leads the Sabres in scoring with 83 points (5th in the league). He has 42 goals (3rd in the league) and 41 assists in 63 games. Anderson (9-9-2) has the best goals against average for Buffalo at 2.78.
He has a save percentage of .918%. Luukkonen (15-9-2) has played the most games in net for the Sabres this season. He has a 3.63 GAA and a .891% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Dallas is 17-8-5 away from American Airlines Center this season. Buffalo is 13-17-2 at KeyBank Center this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Dallas Stars (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
