Buffalo Sabres vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, 2/27/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Carolina Hurricanes

Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025

Location: PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+110) Hurricanes (-130)

PNC Arena is where the Carolina Hurricanes (33-21-4) will try to defeat the Buffalo Sabres (24-27-5) on Thursday. The moneyline on this contest has Buffalo at +110 and Carolina is opening at -130. The over/under has been set at 6.

The Buffalo Sabres went home feeling good about their game by earning a 3-2 win against the Ducks their last time on the ice. Buffalo amassed 17 mins in the box in this game. They also had 3 chances with extra men on the ice but didn't net one. The Sabres had an average offensive output in this victory. In the game, they scored on 3 of the 35 shots they put on goal.

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When talking about their scoring capabilities, the Buffalo Sabres have earned 180 goals (13th in the league) this season and have allowed 188. For the current season, they have 53 points and their points percentage sits at .473. Buffalo skates onto the rink with 162 power play opportunities and they have notched 27 goals during those advantages, giving them a rate of 16.67%. At even strength, the Sabres have surrendered 150 goals while having 153 on offense. Buffalo has tried 1,570 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 11.5%. The Sabres thus far have had 1,621 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .884. Buffalo Sabres opponents have recorded 169 power play opportunities (10th in pro hockey) and have scored 38 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Luukkonen has tallied 75 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .547. His save percentage is at .901 in his 5,810 minutes played. Luukkonen has had 4,078 shots against him and has recorded 3,676 total saves. Opponents have been able to score 402 goals against Luukkonen in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 4.15. He has accumulated a mark of 67-57-14 and he was named the starter in 137 games. Luukkonen has played in 141 games throughout his NHL career.

In their last outing, Carolina faced off against the Canadiens in an outing where the Hurricanes ended up losing by a final score of 4-0. The Hurricanes converted 0 goals out of the 20 shots on goal they took. They had 3 power play chances in this game but didn't score a goal.

Carolina has put up 1,841 shots (3rd in professional hockey) and has a shot percentage of 10.16%, while allowing the other team 1,456 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 84.30% on their oppositions 172 power play opportunities, and their save percentage sits at 88.9%. They have a total of 170 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 19.41%. The Hurricanes have earned 154 goals at even strength and 33 goals (19th in the league) while having a power play advantage. They have granted a total of 162 goals to be scored by of a combination of 135 goals at even strength and 27 goals while they had less men on the ice. For the year, the Carolina Hurricanes have accumulated 187 goals, 70 points, as well as a points percentage of .603.

Across the ice you will find Pyotr Kochetkov between the pipes. Kochetkov has accrued a lifetime record of 58-31-12 and has been in goal for 104 contests. Kochetkov's quality start percentage sits at 56.0% and he has qualified for 56 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has racked up 2,371 saves out of the 2,614 shots tried, giving him a percentage of .907. Opponents are averaging 3.64 goals per game and he has allowed 243 goals altogether. He got the starting nod in 100 games and his ice time sits at 4,010 minutes.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Carolina (-130)

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