Vegas Golden Knights vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 3/2/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vegas Golden Knights vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Saturday, March 2, 2024

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: ESPN+/Hulu

Odds/Point Spread: Golden Knights (-124) Sabres (+102)

The Buffalo Sabres (28-28-4) are hosting the Vegas Golden Knights (33-20-7) at KeyBank Center on Saturday. The moneyline on this contest has Vegas at -124 and Buffalo is at +102. The over/under comes in at 7.

The Vegas Golden Knights had a rough game after their 5-4 defeat against the Bruins in their previous game. The Golden Knights had a good offensive performance and it was apparent in the defeat. In the outing, they earned a goal on 4 of the 36 shots they put on goal. They also had 2 chances on the power play but weren't able to make the most of them. Vegas earned 4 mins in the box in this contest.

Get all of our NHL Expert Picks

Vegas Golden Knights opponents have totaled 162 power play opportunities (30th in pro hockey) and have tallied 31 goals in those chances. The Golden Knights have seen 1,851 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .908. Vegas has tried 1,858 shots and holds a shot percentage of 10.3%. While playing at even strength, the Golden Knights have conceded 139 goals while earning 154 when they are on offense. Vegas has accounted for 197 power play chances and they have added 38 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 19.29%. For the year, they have recorded 73 points and their points percentage is sitting at .608. With respect to their scoring capabilities, the Vegas Golden Knights have tallied 192 goals (13th in the league) so far this year and have conceded 170.

The player in the crease for this game is Adin Hill. For his career, Hill has accounted for 63 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .558. His save percentage is at .913 during his 6,839 minutes played. Hill has had 3,409 shots taken against him and he has 3,112 total saves. The opposition has racked up 297 goals versus Hill in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.61. He has compiled a mark of 60-45-8 and he started in 113 games. Hill has been in net for 126 matchups throughout his pro hockey career.

Their last time out, Buffalo played the Lightning in a game where the Sabres got the victory by a score of 3-2. They had 3 opportunities on the power play in this matchup and scored 2 out of those chances. The Sabres had 3 goals of the 23 shots on goal they took.

This season, the Buffalo Sabres have notched a total of 173 goals, 60 points, in addition to a points percentage of .500. They have allowed 179 goals to be scored by of a combination of 140 goals at even strength and 39 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Sabres have scored 145 goals at even strength and 28 goals (27th in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have a tally of 174 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 16.09%. Buffalo has tried 1,894 shots (10th in pro hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 9.13%, while allowing the other team 1,748 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 78.92% on their opponents 185 power play opportunities, and their save percentage sits at 89.8%.

For the opposition you are going to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the crease. His opponents are averaging 3.02 goals per contest and he has yielded 236 goals altogether. Luukkonen's quality start rate is 53.8% and he has made 42 quality starts in his professional career. He got the starting nod in 78 games and his ice time sits at 4,683 minutes. Luukkonen has amassed a career mark of 38-34-8 and has played in 82 games. He has gathered 2,217 saves out of 2,453 shots taken, giving him a save percentage of .904.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Buffalo (+102)

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