Pittsburgh Penguins vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 3/23/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Penguins (-210) Sabres (+172)

KeyBank Center is the site where the Buffalo Sabres (22-33-8) will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (38-16-9) on Wednesday. The odds on this game have the Penguins at -210 and the Sabres are priced at +172. The total is set at 6.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 4-1 win over the Coyotes their last time on the ice. Pittsburgh accrued 6 penalty mins for this contest. The Penguins had a solid offensive outing in this win. Additionally, they had 3 chances with the advantage but didn't convert them into a score. For the game, they earned a goal on 4 of the 49 shots they tried.

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With respect to their scoring capabilities, the Pittsburgh Penguins have notched 202 goals (13th in hockey) for the season and have surrendered 162. For the season, they sit with 85 points and their points percentage sits at .675. Pittsburgh steps onto the ice with 193 power play opportunities and they have tallied 39 goals during those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 20.21%. While playing at even strength, the Penguins have conceded 141 goals while earning 163 themselves. Pittsburgh has attempted 2,199 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.2%. The Penguins have had 1,914 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .915. Pittsburgh Penguins opponents have totaled 155 power play opportunities (31st in the league) and have earned 21 goals in those attempts.

The man in goal for this game is Casey DeSmith. Opponents have tallied 208 goals against DeSmith in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.69. DeSmith has participated in 86 contests during his hockey career. He has a save percentage of .914 for his 4,640 mins guarding the cage. He has amassed an overall record of 38-26-9 and he has started in 73 games. Over the course of his time in hockey, DeSmith has 40 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .548. DeSmith has had 2,406 shots against him and has recorded 2,198 total saves.

Their last time out, Buffalo faced the Canucks in a game where the Sabres earned a win by a tally of 3-2. They had 2 power play attempts in this game but didn't put one in the back of the net. The Sabres recorded 3 goals out of the 29 shots on goal they pursued.

The Sabres have scored 133 goals at even strength and 32 goals (23rd in professional hockey) while having a power play advantage. Buffalo has tried 1,875 shots (20th in pro hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 8.80%, while allowing the opposition 2,139 shots. For the season, the Buffalo Sabres have tallied 165 goals, 52 points, as well as a points percentage of .413. They have a total of 171 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 18.71%. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 76.51% on their oppositions 166 power play opportunities, and their save percentage sits at 89.8%. They have granted a total of 219 goals to be scored by of a combination of 180 goals at even strength and 39 goals while they had less men on the ice.

On the other side of the ice you will find Craig Anderson in net. Anderson is the owner of a lifetime mark of 302-261-69 and has been in net for 672 games. Anderson's quality start rate comes in at 53.6% and he has qualified for 314 quality starting assignments in his hockey career. He has accounted for 18,828 stops out of 20,632 shots attempted, giving him a save percentage of .913. Opponents are averaging 2.84 goals/game and he has relinquished 1,804 goals in total. He got the starting nod in 586 games and has been on the ice for 38,068 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Pittsburgh (-210)

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