Free NHL Picks Today: Florida Panthers vs Buffalo Sabres 2/24/23

The Buffalo Sabres (+155) head to face the Florida Panthers (-185) at FLA Live Arena on Friday. The total is 7 (O: -110, U: -110)Buffalo (29-23-4) is playing on back-to-back days after earning a high-scoring 6-5 overtime win over the Lightning yesterday, their third consecutive win away from home.

The Sabres took advantage of their limited power play opportunities, scoring once on two shots, while also conceding a power play goal. Tage Thompson was the top goalscorer for the Sabres with a hat trick. Eric Comrie only saved 36 of 41 shots (.878%) in the win.

Florida (29-25-6) beat the Ducks 4-3 (OT) on Monday. Four players found the net for the Panthers. Eetu Luostarinen and Matthew Tkachuk both had two assists to lead the team in scoring. Sergei Bobrovsky had 29 saves.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Panthers have won both games between the teams this season, including a 4-1 victory in their most recent meeting in January, their sixth straight win against Buffalo. Tkachuk led Florida with three points (0G 3A). Alex Tuch scored Buffalo’s only goal. Bobrovsky got the win, saving 28 of 29 shots (.965%).

FACING OFF

Buffalo is averaging 3.73 goals per game for the season, second in the NHL, and they are taking on a Panthers team that is allowing 3.48 goals a game (24th).

Meanwhile, Florida has found the net 3.45 times a game on average, sixth in the league, and the Sabres are allowing opponents to score 3.52 goals per game (25th).

Florida averages more shots per game (36.1) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 9.7% shooting percentage ranks 20th. With an average of 32.3 attempts, Buffalo ranks 15th.Power play opportunities ought to be plentiful for the Sabres, as the Panthers have been penalized 4.80 times a game, most in the NHL, for an average of 12.02 minutes (third-highest).

The visitors are averaging 3.57 penalties (8th-fewest in the league) and 7.75 penalty minutes a game (5th-fewest).The Sabres’ 25.13% power play percentage ranks sixth in the league, while the Panthers are 15th with a conversion rate of 21.46%.

While strong on the power play, Buffalo has been less successful at penalty killing, as the away team possesses the league’s third-lowest PK% at 72.56%. Florida’s 74.31% ranks 27th in the NHL.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 75 points this season, seventh-most in the NHL, Thompson is the top skater for the Sabres. He is among the league leaders with 39 goals (3rd) and has added 36 assists. In the net, Craig Anderson (8-7-2) is Buffalo’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.79 GAA and a .915% save percentage.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (14-8-2) leads the Sabres in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.55 and a save percentage of .893%.Tkachuk leads the Panthers in scoring with 78 points (4th in the league). He has 28 goals and 50 assists (6th) in 57 games. Bobrovsky (17-15-2) has the best goals against average for Florida at 3.12. He has a save percentage of .902%.

HOME AND AWAY

Buffalo is 18-8-2 on the road this season. Florida is 16-8-3 at home this season. Meanwhile, the Sabres are 2-7 without a day off and 2-4 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Panthers are 3-3 with a rest advantage.