Carolina Hurricanes vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 2/25/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Carolina Hurricanes vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Sunday, February 25, 2024

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

The Buffalo Sabres (25-27-4) host the Carolina Hurricanes (34-17-5) at KeyBank Center on Sunday.

The Carolina Hurricanes will head into their next game feeling good after earning a 1-0 win over the Panthers in their previous game. Carolina accumulated 6 penalty mins for this game. The Hurricanes didn't have their best offensive outing in this victory. They also had 1 opportunity with more players on the ice but weren't able to notch a goal. In the game, they netted 1 out of the 29 shots they attempted.

Regarding their scoring, the Carolina Hurricanes have earned 187 goals (11th in the league) this season and have surrendered 155. For the season, they have earned 73 points and their points percentage is sitting at .652. Carolina has compiled 178 power play chances and they have tallied 49 goals during those chances, giving them a rate of 27.53%. While at even strength, the Hurricanes let the opposition score 127 goals while getting 138 on the offensive side of the ice. Carolina has attempted 1,843 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.2%. The Hurricanes have had 1,426 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .891. Carolina Hurricanes opponents have tallied 179 power play opportunities (11th in hockey) and have come away with 28 goals in those chances.

The man in goal for this game is Pyotr Kochetkov. Kochetkov has been in net for 56 matchups during his pro hockey career. He has amassed a record of 30-16-8 and he has gotten the start in 52 games. The opposition has scored 126 goals versus Kochetkov in his career and his average for goals against per game is 2.40. Kochetkov has seen 1,395 shot attempts against him and he has 1,269 saves. His save percentage currently is at .910 in his 3,148 mins in the crease. For his professional hockey career, Kochetkov has 31 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .596.

In their last contest, Buffalo played the Canadiens in a game where the Sabres notched a victory by a final of 3-2. They had 3 attempts on the power play in this contest and recorded 1 out of those chances. The Sabres had 3 goals of the 23 shots on goal they pursued.

Buffalo has put up 1,772 shots (12th in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 9.26%, while allowing their opponents 1,630 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 80.23% on the other teams 172 chances on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.5%. They have a total of 161 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 14.91%. The Sabres have racked up 140 goals at even strength and 24 goals (29th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 171 goals to be scored by of a combination of 137 goals at even strength and 34 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the campaign, the Buffalo Sabres have tallied 164 goals, 54 points, and a points percentage of .482.

On the other side of the ice you will find Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the crease. His opposition is averaging 3.08 goals per contest and he has yielded 228 goals altogether. Luukkonen's rate of quality starts sits at 51.4% and he has 38 quality starts in his career. He has started in 74 games and has played for a total of 4,437 mins. Luukkonen has compiled a career mark of 35-33-8 and has played in 78 games. He has a tally of 2,107 saves out of the 2,335 shots attempted, which gives him a save percentage of .902.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Carolina

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here