Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators Prediction, 1/9/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators

Date: Thursday, January 9, 2025

Location: Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON

TV: TSN

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+162) Senators (-196)

The Buffalo Sabres (15-21-5) are en route to Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday where they will try to beat the Ottawa Senators (19-17-3). The odds on this game have the Sabres at +162 and the Senators are priced at -196. The over/under comes in at 6.

The Buffalo Sabres had a decent effort after finishing in a 3-3 tie against the Capitals in the last game they played. Buffalo accounted for 6 minutes in the box for this matchup. The Sabres had a middle of the road showing in this game. Furthermore, they had 3 chances on the power play and were able to notch 1 goal. In the game, they finished 3 of the 27 shots they attempted.

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In relation to scoring goals, the Buffalo Sabres have notched 124 goals (15th in hockey) for the season and have allowed 139. For the current campaign, the have a total of 35 points and their points % is .427. Buffalo has tallied 115 power play opportunities and they have tallied 21 goals during those chances, earning them a rate of 18.26%. When at even strength, the Sabres have allowed 111 goals while scoring 103 themselves. Buffalo has tried 1,106 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.2%. The Sabres have seen 1,193 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .883. Buffalo Sabres opponents have totaled 126 power play tries (8th in the NHL) and have a total of 28 goals in those attempts.

The player in the crease for this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Over the course of his pro career, Luukkonen has recorded 69 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .552. He has a save percentage of .902 for his 5,781 minutes on the ice. Luukkonen has seen 3,752 shots taken against him and has accrued 3,383 saves. The opposition has notched 369 goals versus Luukkonen in his pro career and his goals against average per game is 3.83. He has an overall mark of 59-53-14 and he was named the starter in 125 games. Luukkonen has participated in 129 games over the course of his NHL career.

When they took the ice last, Ottawa played the Blues in a game where the Senators took the defeat by a score of 4-0. The Senators recorded 0 goals of the 20 shots on goal they took. They had 1 chance on the power play in this game but weren't able to score a goal.

The Senators have earned 83 goals at even strength and 31 goals (6th in pro hockey) while on the power play. Ottawa has taken 1,159 shots (18th in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 9.84%, while allowing the other team 1,072 shots. Over the course of the season, the Ottawa Senators are sitting with 114 goals, 41 points, as well as a points percentage of .526. They have granted a total of 113 goals to be scored by of a combination of 87 goals at even strength and 26 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 126 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 24.60%. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 76.58% on the other teams 111 power play opportunities, and their save percentage sits at 89.5%.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Anton Forsberg in net. Forsberg has a career mark of 67-76-12 and has participated in 173 games. Forsberg's quality start rate is 50.6% and he has 81 quality starts in his pro career. He has recorded 4,432 saves out of 4,904 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save % of .904. The opposition is averaging 3.35 goals/game and he has relinquished 472 goals altogether. He has started in 160 games and has racked up 8,442 minutes.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo (+162)

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