Buffalo Sabres vs Colorado Avalanche Prediction, 1/2/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Colorado Avalanche

Date: Thursday, January 2, 2025

Location: Ball Arena in Denver, CO

TV: Altitude Sports

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

Ball Arena is where the Colorado Avalanche (22-15-0) will play the Buffalo Sabres (14-19-4) on Thursday. The line on this contest has the Sabres at +172 and the Avalanche are priced at -210. The over/under has been set at 6.

The Buffalo Sabres had a good night with a 4-2 victory over the Blues in their last outing. Buffalo compiled 8 minutes in the box for this contest. They also had 3 power play chances and scored 2 goals. The Sabres played really well in this win. For the game, they converted 4 out of the 16 shots they put on goal.

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In regard to scoring goals, the Buffalo Sabres have accumulated 113 goals (14th in the National Hockey League) on the campaign and have given up 123. For the current campaign, they have recorded 32 points and their points percentage is sitting at .432. Buffalo is sitting with 106 power play chances and they have notched 17 goals during those advantages, giving them a rate of 16.04%. When at even strength, the Sabres have given up 97 goals while getting 96 on offense. Buffalo has attempted 1,011 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.2%. The Sabres thus far have had 1,070 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .885. Buffalo Sabres opponents have tallied 118 power play tries (6th in the NHL) and have come away with 26 goals in those attempts.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Opponents have tallied 357 goals against Luukkonen in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 3.71. Luukkonen has been involved in 126 matchups throughout his NHL career. He has a save percentage of .903 during his 5,773 minutes played. He has amassed an overall mark of 58-52-13 and he was named the starter in 122 games. For his career, Luukkonen has earned 68 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .557. Luukkonen has seen 3,663 shot attempts against him and has recorded 3,306 total saves.

In their last contest, Colorado played the Hockey Club in an outing where the Avalanche took home the victory by a final score of 4-1. They had 2 power play opportunities in this matchup but weren't able to score a goal. The Avalanche tallied 4 goals out of the 37 shots on goal they pursued.

The Avalanche have earned 97 goals at even strength and 27 goals (8th in professional hockey) while on the power play. Colorado has taken 1,087 shots (9th in hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 11.41%, while allowing the opposition 1,000 shots. On the season, the Colorado Avalanche are sitting with 124 goals, 44 points, in addition to a points percentage of .595. They have granted a total of 121 goals to be scored by way of 99 goals at even strength and 22 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 114 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play rate of 23.68%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 77.55% on the other teams 98 chances on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 87.9%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Mackenzie Blackwood defending the goal. He has accrued 5,987 stops out of 6,613 shots attempted, which gives him a rate of .905. Blackwood has accrued a career record of 85-92-25 and has been in goal for 220 games. He has been a starter 206 games and has played for a total of 11,056 minutes. Blackwood's rate of quality starts comes out to 54.9% and he has qualified for 113 quality starts in his professional career. His opposition is averaging 3.40 goals/game and he has relinquished 626 goals altogether.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Buffalo (+172)

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