Following a franchise record-tying 10-game winning streak, the Buffalo Sabres have cooled off in the form of two straight losses. Buffalo concludes its three-game road trip in Nashville on Monday, where sportsbooks opened the Predators as -185 home favorites with a total of 5.5.
- The Sabres are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games vs the Predators.
- The total has gone OVER in three of the Sabres’ last four games vs the Predators (avg. combined score: 8.25).
- The Sabres are 7-2 SU and 9-0 ATS in their last nine games as underdog.
Sabres vs Predators Game Center
Eichel continues to be red-hot
While the Sabres have slowed down, captain Jack Eichel hasn’t. The American set up two goals in Buffalo’s 5-4 loss to Tampa Bay on Friday and again in a 3-2 overtime loss to Florida the following night. Eichel leads the team in assists (27) and points (32). Jeff Skinner ended November by converting on a 2-on-1 rush with Sam Reinhart midway through the first period vs the Panthers to record his 14th tally of the month, as the ex-Carolina Hurricane now has 20 on the season.
The Predators are dealing with a litany of injuries right now and snapped a mini two-game losing streak in a 5-2 triumph over Chicago on Saturday. The Preds scored three goals in the first five minutes of a game for the first time in franchise history. Filip Forsberg is sidelined four to six weeks with an upper-body injury, but the rest of the Nashville offense looks to be up to the task of filling his shoes.
Sabres are an excellent puckline bet in this series
When it comes to the total, bettors may want to pay attention to the OVER tonight. Three of the last four meetings between Buffalo and Nashville have gone OVER the total with an average combined score of 8.3 goals. The OVER is also 19-8 in the Preds’ past 27 with a closing total of 5.5 or less.
While the Sabres haven’t been a reliable straight-up wager against the Predators lately, they’ve been much better in another regard: covering the puckline. Buffalo is 3-7 SU in its previous 10 matchups with Nashville but is 5-1 on the puckline in the last six between the clubs. If you’re looking to bet the Sabres puckline in this one, they’re available at +1.5 for a price of -180 at Sportsbook.
Preds turn to Rinne yet again in between the pipes
Pekka Rinne is listed as the probable starting netminder for Nashville. Rinne (11-4-1, 1.86 goals-against average, .934 save percentage) allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Predators' win over the Blackhawks. This is the Finn's fifth straight start on home ice, having gone 8-2-0 with a 1.81 GAA, .932 SV% and tow shutouts in his previous 10 at Bridgestone Arena.
Carter Hutton is set to counter for the Sabres. Hutton (12-7-1, 2.63 GAA, .917 SV%) let in five goals on 37 shots against the Lightning, snapping an eight-game personal winning streak for the goaltender.
