The Buffalo Sabres (-140) welcome the San Jose Sharks (+120) at KeyBank Center on Sunday. The total is 6.5 (O: -110, U: -110)San Jose (8-15-4) is wrapping up a four-game road trip with the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 5-2 loss against the Senators yesterday. The Sharks committed seven penalties in the game, conceding three power play goals. Tomas Hertl was the only player to find the net, scoring twice for the Sharks.
Kaapo Kahkonen saved only 34 of 39 shots against (.871%) in the loss. Buffalo (10-13-1) fell 6-4 to the Avalanche on Thursday. Four players found the net for the Sabres. Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens both scored and provided two assists to lead the team in scoring. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen saved only 28 of 33 shots against (.848%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sharks won both games between the teams last season, including a 3-2 victory in their final meeting in January. Hertl led San Jose with two points (1G 1A). Jeff Skinner and Zemgus Girgensons were on the scoresheet for Buffalo. Adin Hill got the win, saving 37 of 39 shots (.948%).
FACING OFF
San Jose is averaging 2.89 goals per game for the season, 23rd in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sabres team that is allowing 3.71 goals a game (28th). Meanwhile, Buffalo has found the net 3.71 times a game on average, fourth in the league, and the Sharks are allowing opponents to score 3.48 goals per game (24th).
The Sabres’ 26.37% power play percentage ranks sixth in the league, while the Sharks are 22nd with a conversion rate of 20.00%. San Jose has been equally adept at penalty killing, boasting the league’s highest PK% at 88.16%. Buffalo ranks 27th at 71.43%.
TOP PERFORMERS
With 33 points this season, ninth-most in the NHL, Erik Karlsson is the top skater for the Sharks. He is among the league leaders with 22 assists (6th) and has added 11 goals of his own. In the net, James Reimer (5-8-2) is San Jose’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.00 GAA and a .903% save percentage.
Thompson leads the Sabres in scoring with 32 points (6th in the league). He has 15 goals (5th in the league) and 17 assists. Craig Anderson (5-4-0) has the best goals against average for Buffalo at 2.87. He has a save percentage of .916%. Eric Comrie (4-7-0) has played the most games in net for the Sabres this season. He has a 3.62 GAA and a .887% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
San Jose is 6-7-0 away from home this season. Buffalo is 5-8-1 at KeyBank Center this season. Meanwhile, the Sharks are 2-3 without a day off and 1-2 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Sabres are 1-1 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Buffalo Sabres (-150)
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.
