Vegas Golden Knights vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 3/15/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vegas Golden Knights vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

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

The Buffalo Sabres (25-33-6) will try to beat the Vegas Golden Knights (38-19-7) at KeyBank Center on Saturday. The moneyline on this matchup has the Golden Knights at -196 and the Sabres are sitting at +162. The over/under comes in at 6.

The Vegas Golden Knights had a rough game after their 3-2 defeat against the Penguins their last time out. Vegas tallied 8 penalty minutes in this contest. They also had 1 power play attempt and were able to notch 1 goal. The Golden Knights had an offensive game that was below their expectations in the loss. In the game, they converted 2 of the 37 shots they attempted.

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In reference to their scoring capabilities, the Vegas Golden Knights have notched 214 goals (6th in the National Hockey League) for the year and have surrendered 175. For the current campaign, they have accumulated 83 points and their points % is .648. Vegas has compiled 152 power play opportunities and they have notched 44 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 28.95%. When at even strength, the Golden Knights have conceded 144 goals while getting 170 on offense. Vegas has attempted 1,964 shots and holds a shot percentage of 10.9%. The Golden Knights so far have had 1,685 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .896. Vegas Golden Knights opponents have 130 power play opportunities (32nd in hockey) and have notched 31 goals in those attempts.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Ilya Samsonov. The opposition has racked up 517 goals against Samsonov in his pro career and his goals against average per game is 3.20. Samsonov has played in 197 games over the course of his NHL career. His save percentage is .902 for his 9,706 minutes in the crease. He has compiled a mark of 117-47-24 and he has gotten the start in 185 games. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Samsonov has recorded 92 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .497. Samsonov has seen 5,264 shot attempts against him and has recorded 4,747 saves.

In their last outing, Buffalo faced the Red Wings in a game where the Sabres went home in defeat by a tally of 7-3. The Sabres scored 3 goals out of the 26 shots on goal they pursued. They had 3 power play opportunities in this matchup and tallied 1 out of those tries.

Buffalo has tried 1,773 shots (27th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 11.28%, while allowing their opponents 1,860 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 75.90% on their opponents 195 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 87.8%. They have earned 184 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 16.85%. The Sabres have scored 169 goals at even strength and 31 goals (25th in hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have allowed 226 goals to be scored by of a combination of 179 goals at even strength and 47 goals while they had less men on the ice. So far this year, the Buffalo Sabres have earned a total of 200 goals, 56 points, in addition to a points percentage of .438.

For the opposition you will find Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in net. His opponents are averaging 4.43 goals per game and he has conceded 430 goals overall. Luukkonen's quality start percentage comes out to 53.5% and he has qualified for 77 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has made the start in 144 games and has played for a total of 5,825 mins. Luukkonen holds a lifetime record of 68-62-14 and has been in net for 148 games. He has tallied 3,834 saves out of the 4,264 shots attempted against him, giving him a save % of .899.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Vegas (-196)

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