Buffalo Sabres vs Edmonton Oilers Betting Picks

There are three things we know about the Oilers. They are high-scoring, featuring superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. They are bad defensively, ranking 30th, and they are very inconsistent. Edmonton is off consecutive victories defeating the Jets, 6-2, and Kraken, 9-4. But the Oilers have not won three straight games all season. The Sabres are a nice value play here at this huge plus price. Edmonton has been far from dominant with a 13-11-5 record. Buffalo upset Edmonton, 5-1, as a $1.33 home underdog on Nov. 17. So the Sabres are capable. Colton Ellis had a big night in the crease for Buffalo in that game, stopping 32 Edmonton shots. Ellis should be in goal today since Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was in net last night in the Sabres' 7-4 road loss to the Flames. This is the second meeting between Buffalo and Edmonton this season. Despite losing their past three games, the Sabres are still 6-6 in their past 12 games. They are worth a shot here. Take the Sabres. 

The last time the Sabres made the playoffs was 2011. Don't look for that streak to end this season. Buffalo has the fewest points in the Eastern Conference, and the Sabres are 2-8 in their last 10 games. One of those victories was an improbable 5-4 overtime road win against Detroit on Saturday. Buffalo trailed 4-1 in that game, but the talented top line (Thompson, Doan, Tuch), backed by Samuelsson and Dahlin, can catch any team by surprise. The Sabres enter this matchup fat and happy, and it's their home game in 11 days. NHL teams home from such a trek are riding a 2-8 slump, with eight of ten games sailing OVER the total. Edmonton has won three of its last four games, including a 4-3 upset of the Hurricanes two days ago. Superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are now joined by Zach Hyman, who had been out with a dislocated wrist. The Sabres, meanwhile, continue to be plagued by injuries. Defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Tyson Kozak both were injured against the Red Wings, joining a long list of injured Buffalo players. Given its inconsistent goaltending situation, Edmonton's potent offense usually has its pedal pinned to the floor, and tonight will be no exception. Take the Oilers to win, and bet this game OVER the total. 

Edmonton heads out on the road with a defense that is 13th in goals given up (2.94 per game). The offense is 20th in shooting percentage. The Oilers lean on that defense away from home with a winning road record. They won their last road game, 3-1, shutting down a Carolina offense that is 11th in the NHL in goals scored. Buffalo's offense is just 27th on the power play. The Sabres have lost six in a row, averaging just 2.33 goals after a 4-0 loss to Florida. Three of their last five home games have gone UNDER the total. Take Edmonton/Buffalo UNDER the total. 

Buffalo has made small strides forward after completing six straight seasons with 33 or fewer wins. They topped that mark last year and will again this year. The Sabres went six years of topping off at 15 road wins, and the last two years this team is over .500 on the road, combining for 41 road wins and counting. Most fans would see the Sabres as easy prey on the road, but surprisingly this team carries a +23.6% ROI on the road the past two seasons. Edmonton has had some big streaks this season, but are 12-9 in their last 21 games. The Oilers have not solved the Sabres in recent play as they are just 4-9 in the last 13 meetings, including just 4-7 in the last 11 at home in this series. Make the play on Buffalo.