Los Angeles Kings vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 10/10/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Los Angeles Kings vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Thursday, October 10, 2024

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

The Buffalo Sabres (39-37-6 last season) will try to defeat the Los Angeles Kings (44-27-11 last year) at KeyBank Center on Thursday.

The Los Angeles Kings will look to clean up some issues after taking a 4-3 loss to the Oilers their last time out. Los Angeles accrued 12 mins in the box in this matchup. Furthermore, they had 1 power play chance but weren't able to score a goal. The Kings offense didn't overly impress in this defeat. In the game, they were able to notch a goal on 3 out of the 21 shots they looked to score on.

Concerning their scoring capabilities, the Los Angeles Kings accumulated 254 goals (16th in professional hockey) for the previous season and allowed 210. For the previous season, they finished with 99 points and their points percentage was .604. Los Angeles compiled 248 power play chances and scored 56 goals out of those chances, earning them a rate of 22.58%. While playing at even strength, the Kings conceded 171 goals while scoring 198. Los Angeles tried 2,616 shots and held a shooting percentage of 9.7%. The Kings had 2,296 shots tried against them and held a save percentage of .909. Los Angeles Kings opponents had 253 power play opportunities (11th in the NHL) and had a total of 39 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is Darcy Kuemper. In his career, Kuemper has tallied 201 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .546. His save percentage is .914 during his 21,950 minutes guarding the cage. Kuemper has had 11,098 shots against him and he has 10,143 total saves. The opposition has scored 955 goals against Kuemper in his pro career and his goals against average per contest is 2.61. He has a mark of 178-135-46 and he started in 368 games. Kuemper has participated in 389 games throughout his NHL career.

In their last contest, Buffalo faced the Lightning in an outing where the Sabres took home the win by a tally of 4-2. They had 2 power play opportunities in this one but weren't able to score a goal. The Sabres converted 4 goals out of the 34 shots on goal they were seeking.

Last year, the Buffalo Sabres accounted for 244 goals, 84 points, in addition to a points percentage of .512. They granted a total of 243 goals to be scored by of a combination of 194 goals at even strength and 49 goals while they were shorthanded. The Sabres scored 207 goals at even strength and 37 goals (30th in the NHL) while on the power play. They recorded 223 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play percentage of 16.59%. Buffalo has tried 2,534 shots (15th in professional hockey) and earned a shot percentage of 9.63%, while allowing their opponent 2,402 shots. They had a penalty kill rate of 79.84% on their opponent's 243 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage was at 89.9%.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen defending the net. Luukkonen has compiled a career record of 47-41-10 and has been in net for 100 contests. Luukkonen's rate of quality starts is 55.2% and he has 53 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has tallied 2,666 saves out of the 2,950 shots taken, which gives him a save % of .904. The opposition is averaging 2.98 goals/game and he has surrendered 284 goals in total. He has been a starter 96 contests and has been on the ice for 5,711 minutes.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Buffalo

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