Winnipeg Jets vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 12/5/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Winnipeg Jets vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Jets (-152) Sabres (+126)

KeyBank Center is where the Buffalo Sabres (11-12-2) will meet the Winnipeg Jets (18-8-0) on Thursday. The line on this contest has the Jets at -152 while the Sabres are priced at +126. The total comes in at 6.

The Winnipeg Jets had a rough game after their 4-1 loss to the Blues in their previous game. Winnipeg tallied 6 mins in the box in this game. The Jets didn't have their best offensive outing in the loss. Additionally, they had 2 attempts on the power play but weren't able to score a goal. While out there on the ice, they scored on 1 of the 23 shots they put on net.

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With respect to scoring goals, the Winnipeg Jets have accumulated 95 goals (3rd in the league) on the year and have given up 67. For the season, they have earned 36 points and their points % is .692. Winnipeg has accumulated 75 power play chances and they have notched 23 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 30.67%. While playing at even strength, the Jets let the opposition score 54 goals while scoring 72 as an offensive unit. Winnipeg has attempted 755 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 12.6%. The Jets have seen 778 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .914. Winnipeg Jets opponents have totaled 68 power play tries (23rd in the NHL) and have come away with 13 goals in those attempts.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Connor Hellebuyck. Over the course of his time in hockey, Hellebuyck has 305 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .591. He has a save percentage of .917 in his 29,307 minutes in the crease. Hellebuyck has seen 15,988 shots taken against him and has recorded 14,664 total saves. The opposition has racked up 1,324 goals against Hellebuyck in his pro career and his goals against average is 2.71. He has compiled an overall mark of 290-178-41 and he has gotten the start in 516 games. Hellebuyck has been in net for 525 contests throughout his professional hockey career.

In their last contest, Buffalo went up against the Avalanche in an outing where the Sabres ended up taking the loss by a final of 5-4. The Sabres notched 4 goals of the 30 shots on goal they took. They had 3 power play opportunities in this contest but weren't able to put one in the back of the net.

Buffalo has taken 712 shots (21st in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 10.53%, while allowing the other team 723 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 80.25% on their oppositions 81 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 89.2%. They have a total of 75 power play chances and they have earned a power play percentage of 14.67%. The Sabres have 64 goals at even strength and 11 goals (29th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have granted a total of 78 goals to be scored by of a combination of 62 goals at even strength and 16 goals while they had less men on the ice. So far this year, the Buffalo Sabres have tallied 75 goals, 24 points, as well as a points percentage of .480.

Across the ice you will find Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen patrolling the crease. Luukkonen holds a career mark of 55-47-12 and has been in net for 117 games. Luukkonen's rate of quality starts is 55.8% and he has made 63 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has gathered 3,102 saves out of 3,431 shots taken, giving him a rate of .904. His opposition is averaging 3.43 goals per game and he has given up 329 goals altogether. He has started in 113 contests and has played 5,753 mins.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Winnipeg (-152)

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