Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins Prediction, 12/31/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins

Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022

Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA

TV: NESN

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+184) Bruins (-225)

TD Garden is the site where the Boston Bruins (28-4-3) will attempt to defeat the Buffalo Sabres (17-14-2) on Saturday. The odds on this game have Buffalo at +184 while Boston is coming in at -225. The over/under comes in at 6.

The Buffalo Sabres were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 6-3 victory against the Red Wings in their previous game. Buffalo accounted for 6 mins in the box in this matchup. Moreover, they had 5 chances with extra men on the ice and notched 1 goal. The Sabres had a solid offensive performance and it showed in the victory. In the game, they netted 6 of the 35 shots they put on goal.

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Buffalo Sabres opponents have 112 power play tries (17th in professional hockey) and have notched 30 goals in those attempts. The Sabres have seen 1,083 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .897. Buffalo has tried 1,063 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 12.4%. When playing at even strength, the Sabres have given up 82 goals while getting 95 on offense. Buffalo has accumulated 126 power play chances and they have tallied 37 goals during those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 29.37%. For the current campaign, they have tallied 36 points and their points percentage comes in at .545. Concerning scoring goals, the Buffalo Sabres have accumulated 132 goals (3rd in the league) for the year and have allowed 112.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Craig Anderson. Opponents have scored 1,873 goals against Anderson in his pro career and his average for goals against per game is 2.85. Anderson has been in goal for 696 games during his professional hockey career. His save percentage is .912 in his 39,484 mins in the crease. He has accumulated a record of 315-268-72 and he started in 609 games. For his professional hockey career, Anderson has accounted for 325 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .534. Anderson has seen 21,364 shots against him and has garnered 19,491 total saves.

In their last outing, Boston went up against the Devils in an outing where the Bruins took home the win by a score of 3-1. They had 3 power play opportunities in this game but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Bruins converted 3 goals out of the 27 shots on goal they were seeking.

This season, the Boston Bruins have a total of 133 goals, 59 points, in addition to a points percentage of .843. They have allowed 75 goals to be scored by way of 55 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Bruins have earned 97 goals at even strength and 36 goals (4th in hockey) while on the power play. They have earned 129 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play rate of 27.91%. Boston has put up 1,219 shots (7th in pro hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.91%, while allowing the opposition 1,034 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 84.38% on their oppositions 128 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 92.7%.

Across the ice you will find Linus Ullmark in goal. Ullmark has accrued a career record of 96-58-16 and has been in net for 182 games. Ullmark's quality start percentage comes out to 59.2% and he has accumulated 103 quality starts in his pro career. He has recorded 4,923 saves out of the 5,371 shots taken, giving him a save percentage of .917. His opponents are averaging 2.59 goals per game and he has relinquished 448 goals in total. He has started in 174 games and his ice time sits at 10,397 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo (+184)

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