Edmonton Oilers vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 3/9/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Edmonton Oilers vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Saturday, March 9, 2024

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: ESPN+/Hulu

Odds/Point Spread: Oilers (-165) Sabres (+135)

The Edmonton Oilers (38-21-2) are headed to KeyBank Center on Saturday where they will play the Buffalo Sabres (29-30-5). The line on this contest has the Oilers at -165 and the Sabres are sitting at +135. The total is set at 7.

The Edmonton Oilers will need a bounce back game after taking a 4-2 loss to the Blue Jackets in their previous game. Edmonton recorded 9 penalty mins for this matchup. The Oilers didn't have a great showing offensively in the loss. Additionally, they had 3 chances on the power play and were able to notch 1 goal. In the outing, they tallied a score on 2 of the 31 shots they looked to score on.

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When playing at even strength, the Oilers have given up 137 goals while notching 166 on the offensive side of the ice. Edmonton Oilers opponents have earned 198 power play tries (12th in hockey) and have tallied 40 goals in those chances. In the matter of scoring goals, the Edmonton Oilers have earned 214 goals (7th in the NHL) for the year and have surrendered 177. Edmonton has attempted 2,038 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.5%. For the current campaign, they have recorded 78 points and their points percentage is sitting at .639. The Oilers have had 1,728 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .898. Edmonton is sitting with 180 power play opportunities and they have tallied 48 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 26.67%.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Stuart Skinner. Opponents have tallied 284 goals versus Skinner in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per game is 2.69. Skinner has been involved in 109 games over the course of his professional hockey career. He has a save percentage of .910 in his 6,327 mins between the pipes. He has accumulated a win-loss record of 65-33-7 and got the start in 105 games. Over the course of his pro career, Skinner has accumulated 62 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .590. Skinner has had 3,159 shots against him and he has 2,875 saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Buffalo played the Predators in a matchup where the Sabres took the defeat by a final of 4-2. They had 3 power play chances in this contest but were not able to net one. The Sabres had 2 goals of the 28 shots on goal they pursued.

This season, the Buffalo Sabres have accounted for 185 goals, 63 points, in addition to a points percentage of .492. They have allowed 192 goals to be scored by of a combination of 150 goals at even strength and 42 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Sabres have earned 155 goals at even strength and 30 goals (27th in the league) while having more men on the ice. They have recorded 182 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 16.48%. Buffalo has attempted 2,001 shots (10th in hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 9.25%, while allowing their opponents 1,858 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 78.24% on their oppositions 193 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 89.7%.

Across the ice you will find Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen protecting the goal. He has compiled 2,294 stops out of 2,537 shots taken, giving him a save percentage of .904. Luukkonen is the owner of a lifetime mark of 39-35-9 and has been in net for 85 games. He got the starting nod in 81 games and has played for a total of 4,866 minutes. Luukkonen's quality start percentage comes in at 55.6% and he has earned 45 quality starts in his pro career. The opposition is averaging 3.00 goals/game and he has relinquished 243 goals altogether.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Edmonton (-165)

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