Winnipeg Jets vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 3/3/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Winnipeg Jets vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Sunday, March 3, 2024

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Jets (-159) Sabres (+132)

The Winnipeg Jets (37-16-5) are on their way to KeyBank Center on Sunday where they will attempt to beat the Buffalo Sabres (28-28-4). The odds on this game have Winnipeg at -159 and Buffalo is sitting at +132. The total is set at 7.

The Winnipeg Jets will need a bounce back game after taking a 4-1 defeat against the Stars in their previous outing. Winnipeg recorded 4 penalty minutes for this contest. Additionally, they had 1 chance with the advantage and were able to notch 1 goal. The Jets didn't have their best offensive outing in this loss. For the game, they converted 1 out of the 26 shots they attempted.

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While at even strength, the Jets let the opposition score 101 goals while earning 145 on the offensive side of the ice. Winnipeg Jets opponents have recorded 167 power play opportunities (28th in hockey) and have a total of 37 goals in those chances. With regard to their scoring, the Winnipeg Jets have notched 177 goals (20th in hockey) on the season and have conceded 138. Winnipeg has attempted 1,784 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.9%. For the current campaign, they have accumulated 79 points and their points percentage is .681. The Jets so far have had 1,715 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .920. Winnipeg comes into tonight with 174 power play chances and they have notched 32 goals out of those attempts, earning them a rate of 18.39%.

The player in the crease for this game is Connor Hellebuyck. Opponents have tallied 1,235 goals against Hellebuyck in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 2.62. Hellebuyck has participated in 488 games throughout his professional hockey career. His save percentage is at .917 in his 28,273 minutes guarding the cage. He has compiled a mark of 266-166-40 and he has started in 479 games. In his professional hockey career, Hellebuyck has 280 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .585. Hellebuyck has had 14,873 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 13,638 saves.

In their last outing, Buffalo faced off against the Lightning in a matchup where the Sabres earned a win by a score of 3-2. The Sabres recorded 3 goals of the 23 shots on goal they pursued. They had 3 power play opportunities in this outing and recorded 2 out of those attempts.

Buffalo has taken 1,894 shots (11th in the league) and has a shot percentage of 9.13%, while allowing the other team 1,748 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 78.92% on their opponents 185 power play tries, and their save percentage is 89.8%. They have a tally of 174 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 16.09%. The Sabres have accumulated 145 goals at even strength and 28 goals (27th in hockey) while on the power play. They have allowed 179 goals to be scored by of a combination of 140 goals at even strength and 39 goals while they were shorthanded. On the campaign, the Buffalo Sabres have accumulated 173 goals, 60 points, and a points percentage of .500.

Across the ice you are expected to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen protecting the net. Luukkonen is the owner of a career mark of 38-34-8 and has played in 82 games. Luukkonen's rate of quality starts is 53.8% and he has 42 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. He has racked up 2,217 saves out of the 2,453 shots taken, which gives him a save % of .904. His opponents are averaging 3.02 goals per game and he has surrendered 236 goals in total. He has made the start in 78 games and has played for a total of 4,683 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Buffalo (+132)

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