Chicago Blackhawks vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 1/17/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Blackhawks (+185) Sabres (-230)

The Buffalo Sabres (19-21-4) welcome the Chicago Blackhawks (12-29-2) at KeyBank Center on Wednesday. The odds on this game have Chicago at +185 and Buffalo is coming in at -230. The betting total is set at 7.

The Chicago Blackhawks were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 3-1 defeat against the Stars in their last outing. Chicago amassed 11 mins in the box in this game. The Blackhawks had a below average offensive outing in this loss. Moreover, they had 2 opportunities with more players on the ice but didn't net one. For the game, they scored on 1 out of the 35 shots they put on net.

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With regard to their scoring capabilities, the Chicago Blackhawks have accumulated 97 goals (30th in the National Hockey League) for the season and have conceded 157. For the season, they have earned 26 points and their points percentage sits at .302. Chicago comes into tonight with 133 power play opportunities and they have notched 17 goals during those chances, earning them a percentage of 12.78%. At even strength, the Blackhawks have allowed 123 goals while notching 80 when they are on offense. Chicago has attempted 1,129 shots and holds a shot percentage of 8.6%. The Blackhawks so far have had 1,396 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .888. Chicago Blackhawks opponents have tallied 138 power play opportunities (12th in hockey) and have scored 34 goals in those chances.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Petr Mrazek. Opponents have been able to score 942 goals against Mrazek in his career and his goals against average is 2.79. Mrazek has taken the ice for 363 games during his pro hockey career. He has a save percentage of .907 for his 20,266 mins between the pipes. He has amassed a mark of 160-140-35 and he has gotten the start in 333 games. During his career on the ice, Mrazek has recorded 168 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .505. Mrazek has seen 10,121 shot attempts against him and has garnered 9,179 total saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Buffalo faced off against the Sharks in a matchup where the Sabres notched a victory by a mark of 3-0. The Sabres notched 3 goals out of the 35 shots on goal they took. They had 2 power play attempts in this game and scored 1 out of those chances.

Buffalo has tried 1,372 shots (7th in professional hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 9.48%, while allowing their opponents 1,298 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 79.10% on the other teams 134 tries on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.1%. They have earned 125 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play percentage of 14.40%. The Sabres are sitting with 112 goals at even strength and 18 goals (28th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have allowed 142 goals to be scored by of a combination of 114 goals at even strength and 28 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the season, the Buffalo Sabres have earned 130 goals, 42 points, in addition to a points percentage of .477.

For the opposition you will find Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen protecting the net. He is sitting with 1,867 stops out of the 2,075 shots taken against him, giving him a rate of .900. Luukkonen is the owner of a career record of 30-28-8 and has been in goal for 68 contests. He has started in 64 contests and has played 3,844 minutes. Luukkonen's quality start percentage comes out to 48.4% and he has 31 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. His opposition is averaging 3.25 goals per contest and he has relinquished 208 goals in total.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago (+185)

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