Buffalo Sabres vs Edmonton Oilers Prediction, 3/17/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Edmonton Oilers

Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022

Location: Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+175) Oilers (-213)

The Edmonton Oilers (32-23-4) will try to defeat the Buffalo Sabres (20-32-8) at Rogers Place on Thursday. The moneyline on this game has Buffalo at +175 while Edmonton is at -213. The over/under comes in at 7.

The Buffalo Sabres came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 5-2 win against the Maple Leafs in their last outing. Buffalo had 32 mins in the box for this game. The Sabres played really well in the victory. Moreover, they had 4 power play opportunities but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. In the game, they netted 5 of the 38 shots they launched.

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Buffalo Sabres opponents have tallied 159 power play opportunities (27th in pro hockey) and have a total of 37 goals in those chances. The Sabres have had 2,047 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .897. Buffalo has attempted 1,784 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.0%. While at even strength, the Sabres have given up 174 goals while scoring 128 on the offensive side of the ice. Buffalo comes into the game with 165 power play opportunities and they have scored 32 goals out of those chances, giving them a rate of 19.39%. For the season, they have scored 48 points and their points percentage is .400. Regarding their scoring capabilities, the Buffalo Sabres have earned 160 goals (24th in pro hockey) so far this year and have allowed 211.

The man in goal for this game is Craig Anderson. During his career on the ice, Anderson has compiled 313 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .536. His save percentage currently is at .913 for his 37,947 mins on the ice. Anderson has seen 20,564 shots taken against him and has recorded 18,768 total saves. Opponents have been able to score 1,796 goals against Anderson in his career and his goals against rate is 2.84. He has compiled a mark of 301-260-69 and he was named the starter in 584 games. Anderson has been in goal for 670 contests during his NHL career.

In their last game, Edmonton faced off against the Lightning in a game where the Oilers took home the victory by a final score of 4-1. They had 7 power play chances in this one and earned 1 goal out of those chances. The Oilers scored 4 goals of the 49 shots on goal they attempted.

Edmonton has tried 1,981 shots (11th in pro hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 9.59%, while allowing their opponents 1,874 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 76.22% on their oppositions 185 power play opportunities, and their save percentage comes in at 90.0%. They have earned 179 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 24.58%. The Oilers have racked up 146 goals at even strength and 44 goals (6th in the NHL) while having a power play advantage. They have allowed 187 goals to be scored by of a combination of 143 goals at even strength and 44 goals while they had less men on the ice. So far this year, the Edmonton Oilers have a total of 190 goals, 68 points, in addition to a points percentage of .576.

Across the ice you will find Mike Smith in net. His opposition is averaging 2.71 goals/game and he has allowed 1,695 goals overall. Smith's quality start rate is 52.8% and he has 325 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He got the starting nod in 615 contests and has played for a total of 37,504 mins. Smith has accumulated a lifetime record of 288-262-77 and has played in 657 games. He is sitting with 17,470 stops out of the 19,165 shots taken against him, giving him a percentage of .912.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo (+175)

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