Buffalo Sabres vs Philadelphia Flyers Prediction, 3/17/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Philadelphia Flyers

Date: Friday, March 17, 2023

Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Buffalo Sabres (33-28-6) are on their way to Wells Fargo Center on Friday where they will go up against the Philadelphia Flyers (24-32-11).

The Buffalo Sabres had a decent effort after finishing in a 4-4 tie against the Capitals in their previous game. The Sabres had a solid offensive performance in this game. For the outing, they tallied a score on 4 of the 27 shots they put on net. They also had 2 power play chances but didn't net one. Buffalo had 6 penalty minutes for this matchup.

At even strength, the Sabres have conceded 189 goals while getting 191 on the offensive side of the ice. Buffalo Sabres opponents have totaled 191 power play tries (30th in professional hockey) and have come away with 53 goals in those chances. When talking about their scoring capabilities, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 245 goals (3rd in the league) this year and have allowed 242. Buffalo has attempted 2,159 shots and has a shooting percentage of 11.4%. For the year, they have tallied 72 points and their points percentage is sitting at .537. The Sabres have had 2,239 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .892. Buffalo has compiled 220 power play chances and they have added 54 goals during those chances, giving them a rate of 24.55%.

The man protecting the net in this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The opposition has racked up 138 goals against Luukkonen in his pro hockey career and his goals against rate is 3.41. Luukkonen has participated in 42 contests over the course of his hockey career. His save percentage is .900 in his 2,427 minutes in the crease. He has earned a mark of 18-18-6 and was named the starter in 42 games. Over the course of his time in hockey, Luukkonen has 18 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .429. Luukkonen has had 1,376 shot attempts taken against him and has amassed 1,238 saves.

When they took the ice last, Philadelphia went up against the Golden Knights in a game where the Flyers went home in defeat by a final of 5-3. They had 2 power play opportunities in this one but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Flyers scored 3 goals of the 30 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Flyers have earned 143 goals at even strength and 28 goals (32nd in hockey) while on the power play. Philadelphia has taken 1,970 shots (25th in pro hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 8.68%, while allowing the other team 2,095 shots. For the year, the Philadelphia Flyers have a total of 171 goals, 59 points, in addition to a points percentage of .440. They have allowed 221 goals to be scored by of a combination of 172 goals at even strength and 49 goals while they were shorthanded. They have earned 188 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 14.89%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 74.48% on the other teams 192 power play chances, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.5%.

For the opposition you are going to see Carter Hart in net. Hart has earned a lifetime record of 79-82-26 and has been in net for 194 games. Hart's percentage of quality starts sits at 48.4% and he has made 90 quality starting assignments in his career. He has tallied 5,151 saves out of the 5,689 shots taken against him, which gives him a rate of .905. His opposition is averaging 2.97 goals per contest and he has relinquished 538 goals in total. He has started in 186 games and has played 10,886 mins.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo

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