Buffalo Sabres vs Dallas Stars Prediction, 12/31/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Dallas Stars

Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Location: American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX

TV: Victory+

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+102) Stars (-122)

The Buffalo Sabres (14-19-4) are headed to American Airlines Center on Tuesday where they will attempt to defeat the Dallas Stars (21-13-1). The moneyline on this matchup has the Sabres at +102 and the Stars are at -122. The total has been set at 6.

The Buffalo Sabres were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 4-2 victory against the Blues in their last outing. The Sabres had a solid offensive performance and it showed in this win. While out there on the ice, they were able to notch a goal on 4 of the 16 shots they tried. Additionally, they had 3 chances with extra men on the ice and were able to net 2 goals. Buffalo had 8 minutes in the box in this game.

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Buffalo Sabres opponents have recorded 118 power play opportunities (6th in the league) and have scored 26 goals in those attempts. The Sabres have had 1,070 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .885. Buffalo has tried 1,011 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.2%. While at even strength, the Sabres have surrendered 97 goals while earning 96 on the offensive side of the ice. Buffalo has accounted for 106 power play opportunities and they have scored 17 goals out of those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 16.04%. For the current campaign, they have accumulated 32 points and their points percentage is .432. With regard to scoring goals, the Buffalo Sabres have accumulated 113 goals (14th in the NHL) this year and have allowed 123.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. In his career, Luukkonen has earned 68 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .557. His save percentage currently sits at .903 in his 5,773 minutes on the ice. Luukkonen has seen 3,663 shots against him and has garnered 3,306 saves. The opposition has been able to score 357 goals versus Luukkonen in his career and his goals against average per game is 3.71. He has amassed a record of 58-52-13 and he started in 122 games. Luukkonen has taken the ice for 126 contests over the course of his hockey career.

Their last time out, Dallas played the Blackhawks in a matchup where the Stars notched a victory by a score of 5-1. The Stars recorded 5 goals out of the 35 shots on goal they pursued. They had 7 opportunities on the power play in this outing and recorded 1 out of those chances.

On the campaign, the Dallas Stars have earned a total of 111 goals, 43 points, as well as a points percentage of .614. They have permitted 89 goals to be scored by of a combination of 74 goals at even strength and 15 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Stars have earned 93 goals at even strength and 18 goals (23rd in hockey) while on the power play. They have a tally of 117 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 15.38%. Dallas has attempted 1,084 shots (10th in the NHL) and has a shot percentage of 10.24%, while allowing their opponents 925 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 84.69% on their opponents 98 power play tries, and their save percentage is currently 90.4%.

Across the rink you will find Jake Oettinger defending the goal. He has recorded 5,455 stops out of 5,978 shots tried, giving him a save % of .913. Oettinger is the owner of a career mark of 130-57-24 and has been in net for 220 games. He has started in 211 contests and has been on the ice for 11,106 mins. Oettinger's quality start percentage is 59.2% and he has 125 quality starts in his NHL career. The opposition is averaging 2.83 goals/game and he has surrendered 523 goals in total.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo (+102)

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