Colorado Avalanche vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 12/1/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Colorado Avalanche vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Thursday, December 1, 2022

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Avalanche (-260) Sabres (+210)

KeyBank Center is the site where the Buffalo Sabres (9-12-1) will take on the Colorado Avalanche (12-7-1) on Thursday. The line on this contest has the Avalanche at -260 and the Sabres open at +210. The total comes in at 7.

The Colorado Avalanche will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 5-0 loss against the Jets in their previous contest . Colorado accrued 6 penalty minutes for this matchup. The Avalanche had a below average offensive outing in this loss. Moreover, they had 3 power play tries but didn't net one. For the matchup, they walked away having not converted any of the 40 shots they tried.

Get all of our Free NHL Picks

Colorado Avalanche opponents have earned 69 power play opportunities (24th in the league) and have earned 16 goals in those chances. The Avalanche have had 661 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .921. Colorado has tried 663 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.0%. While playing at even strength, the Avalanche have conceded 36 goals while getting 43 themselves. Colorado has tallied 71 power play opportunities and they have notched 23 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 32.39%. For the current season, they have tallied 25 points and their points percentage is .625. With respect to scoring goals, the Colorado Avalanche have accumulated 66 goals (20th in the league) this year and have given up 52.

The man protecting the net in this game is Alexandar Georgiev. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Georgiev has accrued 70 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .534. He has a save percentage of .910 in his 7,847 minutes guarding the cage. Georgiev has seen 4,222 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 3,844 total saves. The opposition has scored 378 goals against Georgiev in his career and his goals against average is 2.89. He has accumulated a record of 68-51-12 and he was named the starter in 131 games. Georgiev has taken the ice for 143 games over the course of his pro hockey career.

Their last time out, Buffalo faced off against the Lightning in a matchup where the Sabres took the loss by a final of 6-5. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this game but weren't able to finish one of them with a goal. The Sabres scored 5 goals out of the 37 shots on goal they were seeking.

So far this season, the Buffalo Sabres have 81 goals, 19 points, in addition to a points percentage of .432. They have permitted 79 goals to be scored by way of 58 goals at even strength and 21 goals while they were shorthanded. The Sabres are sitting with 60 goals at even strength and 21 goals (7th in the league) while having more men on the ice. They have a total of 82 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 25.61%. Buffalo has taken 716 shots (15th in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.31%, while allowing their opponents 701 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 70.42% on the other teams 71 power play chances, and their save percentage is currently 88.7%.

Across the ice you are expected to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen defending the net. He has racked up 460 saves out of the 510 shots taken, which gives him a save percentage of .902. Luukkonen is the owner of a career record of 4-9-3 and has participated in 16 contests. He has made the start in 16 contests and has played 902 mins. Luukkonen's rate of quality starts is 43.8% and he has earned 7 quality starting assignments in his professional career. Teams are averaging 3.33 goals/game and he has given up 50 goals in total.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Colorado (-260)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here