Buffalo Sabres vs New York Islanders Prediction, 3/7/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs New York Islanders

Date: Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Location: UBS Arena in Elmont, NY

TV: MSG

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+130) Islanders (-154)

The New York Islanders (32-25-8) host the Buffalo Sabres (32-25-4) at UBS Arena on Tuesday. The line on this matchup has the Sabres at +130 and the Islanders are opening at -154. The over/under is set at 7.

The Buffalo Sabres had a good night with a 5-3 win against the Lightning their last time on the ice. Buffalo amassed 17 penalty minutes for this game. The Sabres played really well in this win. In addition, they had 5 power play tries and were able to notch 2 goals. In the outing, they converted 5 out of the 34 shots they tried.

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Buffalo Sabres opponents have totaled 178 power play opportunities (28th in the league) and have earned 49 goals in those chances. The Sabres so far have had 2,021 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .893. Buffalo has attempted 1,978 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 11.5%. While at even strength, the Sabres have allowed the opponent to score 168 goals while getting 176 on offense. Buffalo has accounted for 207 power play chances and they have notched 52 goals out of those tries, giving them a rate of 25.12%. For the season, they sit with 68 points and their points percentage sits at .557. In terms of their scoring, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 228 goals (3rd in pro hockey) this year and have allowed 217.

The man in net for this game is Craig Anderson. The opposition has racked up 1,896 goals versus Anderson in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 2.85. Anderson has been in net for 704 games during his pro hockey career. His save percentage currently is .912 during his 39,953 mins played. He has a record of 317-272-73 and got the start in 616 games. For his career, Anderson has compiled 328 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .532. Anderson has had 21,622 shots against him and has recorded 19,726 saves.

In their last contest, New York faced off against the Red Wings in a matchup where the Islanders notched a victory by a mark of 4-1. They had 2 power play attempts in this one and scored 1 out of those chances. The Islanders notched 4 goals out of the 36 shots on goal they pursued.

The Islanders have 157 goals at even strength and 31 goals (26th in the NHL) while on the power play. New York has put up 1,989 shots (17th in the NHL) and has a shot percentage of 9.45%, while allowing the other team 2,052 shots. For the year, the New York Islanders have accounted for 188 goals, 72 points, in addition to a points percentage of .554. They have permitted 172 goals to be scored by of a combination of 139 goals at even strength and 33 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a tally of 180 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 17.22%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 82.26% on their opponents 186 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is 91.6%.

Across the rink you are going to see Ilya Sorokin defending the net. Sorokin has accumulated a career mark of 60-42-17 and has been in goal for 121 games. Sorokin's quality start rate comes in at 70.3% and he has accumulated 83 quality starts in his professional career. He has gathered 3,353 stops out of 3,628 shots tried, giving him a percentage of .924. Teams are averaging 2.34 goals per contest and he has conceded 275 goals overall. He got the starting nod in 118 games and his ice time sits at 7,060 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Buffalo (+130)

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