Buffalo Sabres vs New York Islanders Prediction, 3/6/2021 NHL Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs New York Islanders

Date: Saturday, March 6, 2021

Location: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY

TV: MSG+

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+165) Islanders (-183)

Semyon Varlamov and the New York Islanders (13-6-4) host the Buffalo Sabres (6-12-3) at Barclays Center on Saturday. The line on this game has the Sabres priced at +165 and the Islanders are at -183. The O/U opens at 5.5.

The Sabres had a rough game after their 5-2 loss to the Islanders their last time on the ice. When starting in the offensive zone they came in at 38.4% and they had a PDO of 96.8 for this matchup. They accrued 20 face-off wins when at even strength and were beaten on 20 opportunities to win the puck. Their Fenwick came in at 29 and the Fenwick against finished at 43, giving them a Fenwick rate of 40.3%. The Corsi for the Sabres sat at 39 and the Corsi against when the final whistle blew was 49 meaning they had a Corsi rate of 44.3%. Buffalo accounted for 2 penalty minutes for this matchup. In addition, they had 1 chance with the advantage but weren't able to score. The Sabres had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in the loss. For the game, they were able to notch a goal on 2 of the 18 shots they put on net.

Buffalo Sabres opponents have tallied 49 power play tries (31st in professional hockey) and have earned 9 goals in those attempts. The Sabres have had 651 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .902. Buffalo has attempted 613 shots and holds a shot percentage of 7.5%. While at even strength, the Sabres have allowed 55 goals while earning 27 of their own. Buffalo has tallied 62 power play opportunities and they have tallied 19 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 30.65%. For the season, they have 15 points and their points percentage is .357. Concerning their scoring capabilities, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 46 goals (31st in pro hockey) so far this year and have conceded 64.

The player in the crease for this game is Carter Hutton. Hutton has played in 227 contests during his NHL career. He has earned a mark of 94-84-27 and he has started in 199 games. The opposition has racked up 549 goals versus Hutton in his career and his goals against average is 2.69. Hutton has had 6,091 shot attempts taken against him and has gathered 5,542 saves. He has a save percentage of .910 during his 12,251 minutes guarding the cage. For his professional hockey career, Hutton has accounted for 101 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .508.

In their win over Buffalo, New York had 3 power play attempts in this one but didn't score a goal. The Islanders converted 5 goals out of the 45 shots on goal they tried. They had a PDO of 103 and their oZS percentage was 61.6%. New York wound up with a 55.7% Corsi rating. These Corsi statistics are telling of the type of game that New York had and it tells us that they played really well in this game. Their Fenwick percentage was 59.7% by compiling a Fenwick of 43 and the Sabres earning a 29 Fenwick.

New York has taken 693 shots (14th in hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 9.09%, while allowing the opposition 636 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 82.76% on the other teams 58 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 92.0%. They have earned 64 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 23.44%. The Islanders have earned 48 goals at even strength and 15 goals (16th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have permitted 51 goals to be scored by way of 41 goals at even strength and 10 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the year, the New York Islanders have accounted for 63 goals, 30 points, in addition to a points percentage of .652.

Across the ice you will find Semyon Varlamov defending the net. Varlamov has earned a lifetime record of 242-187-59 and has played in 510 games. Varlamov's quality start percentage sits at 55.9% and he has qualified for 272 quality starts in his career. He has racked up 14,039 saves out of the 15,330 shots tried, giving him a save percentage of .916. His opponents are averaging 2.65 goals/game and he has allowed 1,291 goals altogether. He has made the start in 487 games and has racked up 29,216 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game ATS?

Guy's Pick: Take New York (-183)

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