Victor Olofsson, Jack Eichel, and the Buffalo Sabres will face off against Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, and the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum for an Eastern Conference tilt. MSG Network will showcase the matchup, and the opening face-off takes place at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 14.
Buffalo Sabres at New York Islanders Odds
New York is 21-9 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 10.4 units this season. That winning percentage, best in the NHL so far in the early season, is an improvement compared to what the team did during the 2018-19 season (48-34). Of the team’s 30 games this season, 11 have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team’s 12-3 SU at home this year.
The Islanders have converted on 21.1 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 12th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.7 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 25.9 saves per game with a .926 save percentage, Semyon Varlamov (11-6-2) has been the principal option in goal for the Isles this season. If New York chooses to give him the day off, however, the team may turn to Thomas Greiss (11-5-5 record, .932 save percentage, 2.16 goals against average).
Buffalo has earned moneyline bettors 0.0 units this season and is currently 16-17 straight up (SU). A total of 17 of its contests have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under the total and none have pushed. The Sabres are 6-11 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Sabres have converted on 17.1 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully killed off 74.5 percent of all penalties.
Linus Ullmark (.916 save percentage and 2.84 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Buffalo. Ullmark is averaging 30.9 saves per game and owns a 10-8-2 record.
Buffalo Sabres vs. New York Islanders Betting Predictions
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
The Islanders are 2-0 in games decided by shootout. The Sabres are 1-1 in shootouts.
Buffalo’s attempted 30.8 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 20th in the NHL), and 27.8 in its last five road outings.
Over Buffalo’s last ten games, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 3-1 in those games).
The Isles this season have handed out the third-most hits per game in the NHL (29.3), but that number has climbed to 35.0 over their last five games as the home team.
