Florida Panthers vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 10/12/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Florida Panthers vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

The Florida Panthers (52-24-6 last season) are traveling to KeyBank Center on Saturday where they will play the Buffalo Sabres (39-37-6 last year).

The Florida Panthers were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 6-4 win against the Bruins their last time out. Florida garnered 15 penalty minutes for this contest. The Panthers had a solid offensive output in this win. Moreover, they had 6 power play opportunities but weren't able to score. In the outing, they scored on 6 out of the 35 shots they put on goal.

Florida Panthers opposition had 291 power play opportunities (2nd in hockey) and scored 51 goals in those attempts. The Panthers had 2,279 shots attempted against them and were the owners of a save percentage of .913. Florida took 2,764 shots and held a shot percentage of 9.6%. At even strength, the Panthers allowed the opponent to score 147 goals while scoring 202. Florida accumulated 268 power play opportunities and tallied 63 goals during those advantages, earning them a rate of 23.51%. For the previous season, they tallied 110 points and their points percentage finished at .671. Concerning their scoring capabilities, the Florida Panthers accumulated 265 goals (11th in the league) for the prior year and allowed 198.

The player between the pipes for this game is Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky has been involved in 700 contests during his NHL career. He has amassed an overall record of 396-224-55 and he started in 684 games. The opposition has racked up 1,738 goals versus Bobrovsky in his pro career and his average for goals against per game is 2.59. Bobrovsky has seen 20,419 shot attempts against him and he has 18,681 saves. His save percentage is at .915 in his 40,323 mins played. For his career, Bobrovsky has 396 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .579.

In their last outing, Buffalo played the Devils in a matchup where the Sabres went home in defeat by a tally of 3-1. They had 2 opportunities on the power play in this outing but weren't able to score a goal. The Sabres had 1 goal out of the 18 shots on goal they were seeking.

Buffalo attempted 2,534 shots (15th in hockey) and had a shot percentage of 9.63%, while allowing their opponent 2,402 shots. They recorded a penalty kill rate of 79.84% on the other team's 243 power play chances, and their save percentage was at 89.9%. They had 223 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 16.59%. The Sabres tallied 207 goals at even strength and 37 goals (30th in the league) while on the power play. They granted a total of 243 goals to be scored by way of 194 goals at even strength and 49 goals while they were shorthanded. Last season, the Buffalo Sabres finished the season with 244 goals, 84 points, as well as a points percentage of .512.

For the opposition you are going to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen between the pipes. Luukkonen is the owner of a career mark of 47-41-10 and has been in goal for 100 games. Luukkonen's quality start percentage comes in at 55.2% and he has qualified for 53 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has accrued 2,666 saves out of 2,950 shots taken against him, which gives him a save percentage of .904. Teams are averaging 2.98 goals/game and he has relinquished 284 goals altogether. He has started in 96 games and has played for a total of 5,711 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Buffalo

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