Detroit Red Wings vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 12/29/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Detroit Red Wings vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Thursday, December 29, 2022

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Red Wings (+146) Sabres (-178)

The Buffalo Sabres (16-14-2) welcome the Detroit Red Wings (14-11-7) at KeyBank Center on Thursday. The line on this matchup has the Red Wings at +146 and the Sabres open at -178. The over/under is set at 6.

The Detroit Red Wings came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 7-4 win against the Lightning in the last game they played. Detroit accumulated 14 minutes in the box for this matchup. The Red Wings had a good offensive performance and it was apparent in the win. In addition, they had 2 chances with the advantage but weren't able to make the most of them. In the game, they tallied a score on 7 of the 31 shots they put on goal.

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When it comes to their goal scoring prowess, the Detroit Red Wings have earned 97 goals (24th in pro hockey) so far this year and have conceded 103. For the year, the have a total of 35 points and their points percentage sits at .547. Detroit is sitting with 116 power play chances and they have scored 23 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 19.83%. At even strength, the Red Wings have allowed the opponent to score 82 goals while getting 74 of their own. Detroit has taken 933 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.4%. The Red Wings so far have had 1,019 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .899. Detroit Red Wings opponents have recorded 96 power play opportunities (29th in professional hockey) and have scored 21 goals in those attempts.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Alex Nedeljkovic. Opponents have been able to score 270 goals versus Nedeljkovic in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 2.98. Nedeljkovic has been involved in 97 games over the course of his pro hockey career. His save percentage sits at .906 during his 5,443 minutes played. He has a record of 39-35-15 and he started in 87 games. For his career, Nedeljkovic has compiled 47 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .540. Nedeljkovic has seen 2,876 shots taken against him and has accrued 2,606 total saves.

Their last time out, Buffalo went up against the Golden Knights in an outing where the Sabres took home the victory by a mark of 3-2. They had 1 power play chance in this one but weren't able to notch a goal. The Sabres earned 3 goals of the 18 shots on goal they tried.

On the year, the Buffalo Sabres have earned a total of 126 goals, 34 points, in addition to a points percentage of .531. They have granted a total of 109 goals to be scored by of a combination of 80 goals at even strength and 29 goals while they were shorthanded. The Sabres have earned 90 goals at even strength and 36 goals (4th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have earned 121 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 29.75%. Buffalo has taken 1,028 shots (21st in the NHL) and has earned a shot percentage of 12.26%, while allowing the other team 1,052 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 73.39% on the other teams 109 power play tries, and their save percentage comes in at 89.6%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Craig Anderson between the pipes. Anderson has amassed a lifetime mark of 315-268-72 and has participated in 696 games. Anderson's quality start rate sits at 53.4% and he has accumulated 325 quality starts in his hockey career. He has gathered 19,491 saves out of 21,364 shots attempted, giving him a rate of .912. His opponents are averaging 2.85 goals per game and he has yielded 1,873 goals overall. He got the starting nod in 609 games and his ice time sits at 39,484 mins.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Detroit (+146)

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