Buffalo Sabres vs Nashville Predators Betting Picks

The high-flying Sabres were quieted down by the Hurricanes, 2-1, at Carolina on Monday. Now Buffalo must play without rest, for the third time in four days, at different venues. Tired legs and fatigue factor mean a more deliberate, conservative approach by Buffalo. Nashville is showing improvement with four wins in its last six games. The Predators have not allowed more than three goals in a game during five of their last six contests. They held the Avalanche, the highest scoring team in the NHL, to three goals in Colorado two games ago. Nashville's top goalie, Juuse Saros, is expected to be in net. Saros has given up an average of 2.5 goals in his last four starts, two of which came against the Avalanche and Oilers. Buffalo and Nashville both have above-average penalty kill units, with the Sabres ranking sixth and the Predators 13th. Nashville averages 2.8 goals per game, which ranks 24th. Take the UNDER. 

Last-place Buffalo just finished a four-game homestand. They've lost six of their last eight on the road. The offense is 27th on the power play, while the defense is 18th in penalty killing, 28th in goals surrendered (3.36 per game), and 26th in save percentage (.895). Nashville's defense is 11th in the NHL in penalty-killing. Nashville has won four of its last six at home, so back home ice. Play Nashville. 

Nashville is on a 7-4 run, winning twice as underdogs. The offense has scored 40 goals over the last 11 games, while the defense is ninth in the NHL in penalty killing. Buffalo has a losing record, including at home (10-12-3). The offense is 27th on the power play, while the defense is 23rd in penalty killing, 30th in goals surrendered (3.40 per game), and 25th in save percentage (.894). The Sabres are on an 8-21 run. Play Nashville. 

Buffalo has lost two straight after a 2-1 defeat at Toronto last night, so this is the second of a back-to-back road spot. It's also their sixth road game over the last nine contests. The offense is 24th in goals scored (2.90 per game) and 27th in shooting percentage, while the defense is 16th in save percentage (.902). Nashville is on an 8-1 run and working on a day of rest. Nashville plays its fifth consecutive home contest and is 50-33 against teams that surrender 3+ goals per game. Nashville has won the last two meetings, 2-1 and 7-3, winning both at Buffalo, so back the rested home team. Play Nashville.