Buffalo Sabres vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction, 3/16/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Detroit Red Wings

Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024

Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI

TV: Bally Sports Detroit

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+110) Red Wings (-132)

Little Caesars Arena is the location where the Detroit Red Wings (33-27-6) will play the Buffalo Sabres (32-30-5) on Saturday. The moneyline on this game has the Sabres at +110 and the Red Wings are priced at -132. The over/under is 7.

The Buffalo Sabres had a good night with a 4-0 victory over the Islanders their last time out. The Sabres had a solid offensive output and it showed in this win. In the game, they converted 4 of the 37 shots they attempted. They also had 4 opportunities with more players on the ice and were able to net 1 goal. Buffalo recorded 13 penalty minutes in this matchup.

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Buffalo Sabres opponents have earned 204 power play tries (17th in the league) and have a total of 43 goals in those chances. The Sabres thus far have had 1,935 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .898. Buffalo has attempted 2,104 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.4%. At even strength, the Sabres let the opposition score 154 goals while scoring 166 when they are on offense. Buffalo has 191 power play opportunities and they have notched 32 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 16.75%. For the current campaign, they have tallied 69 points and their points percentage is .515. When it comes to their goal scoring prowess, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 198 goals (19th in the league) this year and have surrendered 197.

The player in the crease for this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Opponents have scored 248 goals against Luukkonen in his professional career and his goals against rate is 2.95. Luukkonen has taken the ice for 88 contests throughout his NHL career. He has a save percentage of .905 in his 5,050 minutes on the ice. He has amassed an overall record of 42-35-9 and was named the starter in 84 games. Over the course of his pro career, Luukkonen has earned 47 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .560. Luukkonen has seen 2,614 shots against him and he has 2,366 saves.

When they were on the ice last, Detroit faced off against the Coyotes in a game where the Red Wings ended up taking the loss by a final of 4-1. They had 4 power play attempts in this matchup and scored 1 out of those opportunities. The Red Wings notched 1 goal out of the 29 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Red Wings have 169 goals at even strength and 54 goals (4th in hockey) while having a power play advantage. Detroit has tried 1,900 shots (24th in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 11.74%, while allowing the opposition 2,137 shots. During this campaign, the Detroit Red Wings have notched a total of 223 goals, 72 points, as well as a points percentage of .545. They have allowed 222 goals to be scored by of a combination of 183 goals at even strength and 39 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 234 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play rate of 23.08%. They have a penalty kill rate of 80.88% on their oppositions 204 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.6%.

Across the ice you are expected to see Alex Lyon in the crease. Teams are averaging 3.04 goals/game and he has relinquished 199 goals overall. Lyon's quality start percentage comes out to 51.6% and he has 33 quality starts in his NHL career. He was named a starter in 64 games and his ice time sits at 3,924 mins. Lyon has earned a career record of 34-25-7 and has played in 73 games. He has racked up 1,864 stops out of the 2,063 shots tried, giving him a save % of .904.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Buffalo (+110)

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