Buffalo Sabres vs Arizona Coyotes Prediction, 12/16/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Arizona Coyotes

Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023

Location: Mullett Arena in Tempe, AZ

TV: Bally Sports

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (-115) Coyotes (-106)

The Buffalo Sabres (12-15-3) are on their way to Mullett Arena on Saturday where they will go up against the Arizona Coyotes (13-13-2). The moneyline on this game has the Sabres at -115 and the Coyotes are sitting at -106. The over/under is 7.

The Buffalo Sabres were on the losing side of the ice with a 5-1 defeat to the Avalanche in their previous contest . Buffalo accrued 4 penalty minutes for this game. They also had 2 opportunities with more players on the ice but didn't net one. The Sabres had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in this defeat. In the game, they netted 1 of the 30 shots they put on goal.

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At even strength, the Sabres have allowed the opponent to score 82 goals while notching 73 of their own. Buffalo Sabres opponents have amassed 95 power play opportunities (8th in the NHL) and have a total of 18 goals in those attempts. Regarding their scoring, the Buffalo Sabres have earned 85 goals (21st in the NHL) this season and have conceded 100. Buffalo has taken 909 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.4%. For the season, the have a total of 27 points and their points percentage is sitting at .450. The Sabres thus far have had 892 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .888. Buffalo skates onto the rink with 88 power play chances and they have scored 12 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 13.64%.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Opponents have notched 190 goals against Luukkonen in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per game is 3.36. Luukkonen has been in goal for 60 matchups over the course of his hockey career. His save percentage is .898 during his 3,394 minutes on the ice. He has earned a record of 26-25-7 and he has started in 57 games. Over the course of his career, Luukkonen has accrued 26 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .456. Luukkonen has seen 1,864 shot attempts against him and has accrued 1,674 saves.

In their last contest, Arizona played the Penguins in an outing where the Coyotes took the loss by a tally of 4-2. They had 5 opportunities on the power play in this game and earned 2 out of those chances. The Coyotes recorded 2 goals of the 21 shots on goal they tried.

The Coyotes have earned 64 goals at even strength and 24 goals (8th in professional hockey) while on the power play. Arizona has tried 756 shots (30th in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 11.64%, while allowing the opposition 904 shots. For the season, the Arizona Coyotes have accounted for 88 goals, 28 points, in addition to a points percentage of .500. They have allowed 86 goals to be scored by of a combination of 67 goals at even strength and 19 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a total of 98 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play rate of 24.49%. They have a penalty kill rate of 80.00% on the other teams 95 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is 90.5%.

For the opposition you will find Connor Ingram in net. His opponents are averaging 3.09 goals per contest and he has relinquished 143 goals altogether. Ingram's quality start rate comes out to 60.9% and he has made 28 quality starting assignments in his career. He has started in 46 games and has been on the ice for 2,774 mins. Ingram holds a career mark of 18-21-8 and has been in goal for 48 contests. He has recorded 1,448 saves out of 1,591 shots taken against him, which gives him a save percentage of .910.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Arizona (-106)

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