Buffalo Sabres vs Calgary Flames Prediction, 1/23/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Calgary Flames

Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025

Location: Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+172) Flames (-210)

The Buffalo Sabres (18-24-5) are hitting the road to Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday where they will play the Calgary Flames (22-16-7). The odds on this game have Buffalo at +172 and Calgary is priced at -210. The total comes in at 6.

The Buffalo Sabres were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 3-2 win against the Canucks in their previous game. The Sabres offense didn't overly impress in this win. For the game, they finished 3 of the 26 shots they put on goal. Moreover, they had 2 chances on the power play but didn't net one. Buffalo recorded 2 penalty mins for this contest.

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Buffalo Sabres opponents have totaled 144 power play opportunities (8th in professional hockey) and have scored 33 goals in those chances. The Sabres thus far have had 1,381 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .884. Buffalo has taken 1,283 shots and has a shot percentage of 11.2%. When at even strength, the Sabres have allowed the opponent to score 127 goals while notching 119 themselves. Buffalo comes into the game with 135 power play chances and they have tallied 24 goals out of those chances, earning them a percentage of 17.78%. For the season, they have accumulated 41 points and their points percentage is sitting at .436. Pertaining to their scoring capabilities, the Buffalo Sabres have notched 143 goals (16th in the National Hockey League) over the course of the season and have conceded 160.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Over the course of his career, Luukkonen has 71 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .546. His save percentage is at .902 during his 5,793 mins played. Luukkonen has had 3,904 shots taken against him and he has 3,522 total saves. Opponents have been able to score 382 goals against Luukkonen in his NHL career and his goals against average is 3.96. He has compiled an overall mark of 62-55-14 and he started in 130 games. Luukkonen has played in 134 matchups throughout his hockey career.

In their last contest, Calgary went up against the Jets in an outing where the Flames notched a win by a mark of 3-1. They had 2 opportunities on the power play in this game and converted 1 out of those opportunities. The Flames converted 3 goals out of the 22 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Flames have tallied 92 goals at even strength and 25 goals (22nd in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. Calgary has taken 1,315 shots (20th in the league) and has a shot percentage of 8.90%, while allowing their opponents 1,319 shots. So far this season, the Calgary Flames have a total of 117 goals, 51 points, in addition to a points percentage of .567. They have granted a total of 131 goals to be scored by way of 94 goals at even strength and 37 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a tally of 124 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 20.16%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 71.32% on the other teams 129 power play tries, and their save percentage is currently 90.1%.

For the opposition you will find Dustin Wolf defending the goal. He has racked up 1,139 stops out of the 1,253 shots taken against him, which gives him a save % of .909. Wolf has a career mark of 24-14-3 and has participated in 43 games. He got the starting nod in 41 contests and has played 1,073 minutes. Wolf's quality start rate is 56.1% and he has made 23 quality starting assignments in his professional career. His opponents are averaging 6.37 goals per game and he has surrendered 114 goals altogether.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo (+172)

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