The Buffalo Sabres (7-6-0) and their dominant offense host the Vegas Golden Knights (12-2-0) and their stifling defense at KeyBank Center on Thursday. Vegas is coming off a 4-3 overtime win over the Maple Leafs on Tuesday, their eighth consecutive win. The Golden Knights committed only two penalties in the game, holding Toronto without a power play goal.
Reilly Smith was the top goalscorer for the Golden Knights with two goals. Logan Thompson only saved 28 of 31 shots (.903%) in the win.Buffalo lost for the third straight game, falling 4-1 to the Coyotes on Tuesday. Tage Thompson was the only player to score for the Sabres. Eric Comrie only had 20 saves on 23 shots against (.869%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 3-1 victory for the Sabres in March. Peyton Krebs, Victor Olofsson, and Alex Tuch were on the scoresheet for Buffalo. Ben Hutton scored Vegas’ only goal. Craig Anderson got the win, saving 30 of 31 shots (.967%).
FACING OFF
Vegas is averaging 3.57 goals per game for the season, seventh in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sabres team that is allowing 3.23 goals a game (17th). Meanwhile, Buffalo has found the net 3.85 times a game on average, second in the league, and will be looking to break through the Golden Knights’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to a league-best 2.14 goals per game.
The Sabres’ 24.00% power play percentage ranks 12th in the league, while the Golden Knights are 18th with a conversion rate of 20.45%. In terms of defending power plays, Vegas has the league’s 18th-ranked PK% at 78.12%, while Buffalo is 22nd at 75.61%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 15 points this season, Jack Eichel is the top skater for the Golden Knights. He has six goals and nine assists in 14 games. In the net, L. Thompson (6-2-0) is Vegas’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.01 GAA, fourth-best in the league, and a .934% save percentage, fifth-best.
T. Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin lead the Sabres in scoring with 16 points apiece. T. Thompson has eight goals and eight assists in 13 games, while Dahlin has seven goals and nine assists in 12 games. Anderson (3-1-0) has the best goals against average for Buffalo at 2.25.
He has a save percentage of .927%. Comrie (4-4-0) has played the most games in net for the Sabres this season. He has a 3.38 GAA and a .894% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Vegas has won five straight away from T-Mobile Arena this season. Buffalo is 4-3-0 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Buffalo Sabres (+135)
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.
