Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators Betting Picks

Buffalo has won the past five meetings, and the Sabres currently are riding a six-game win streak while allowing 2.0 goals per game in that span. They defeated New Jersey 3-1 on Sunday as Josh Norris and Zach Benson scored in the second period to back Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who had 26 saves. Alex Lyon is expected to start tonight, and he owns a 2.92 goals-against average with a .906 save percentage for the Sabres, who have gone UNDER four of five games. Ottawa has won four straight, but it has lost four of its past six home games. Six of the past eight meetings at Ottawa have stayed UNDER. Buffalo is 5-0 in its past five in the third game of a 3-in-4 days situation, and the Senators have lost 10 of 12 Tuesday games. Ottawa has lost four of five after scoring at least five goals in its previous game. Take the Sabres on the puck line and bet the UNDER.

Ottawa plays its third road game in four contests to start the season. They've been struggling, losing two in a row at Florida and Nashville, getting outscored by a 10-3 count. Brady Tkachuk (wrist) was the latest blow on the injury front, and he'll be out up to four weeks. Ottawa's offense is 24th in goals scored (2.67 per game), 25th in shooting percentage, and 29th on the power play, while the defense is 31st in goals allowed (4.67 per game) and last in save percentage (.842). Buffalo went 23-15-3 at home last season. They're on an 8-3 run at home, including a 3-2 victory over Ottawa as a +140 underdog. Ottawa has lost four of its last six as a favorite, so back the home dog. Play Buffalo. 

Ottawa has a 20-10-2 home record but they are a .500 team on the road, and yet they are favored in this contest. The Senators have lost two of three, including a 6-3 defeat at Montreal as a -140 road favorite. This is their seventh road game over the last 11 contests. The offense is 20th in goals scored and 24th in shooting percentage. Buffalo is home after a four-game road trip, playing well on a 5-3 run. The Sabres come off a 5-3 win at Winnipeg as a +250 underdog getting excellent contributions at both ends of the ice from new defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker. Buffalo's offense is 12th in goals scored (3.10 per game) and seventh in shooting percentage. In their last two home games, the Sabres beat Vegas (4-3) as a +170 dog, and Edmonton (3-2) as a +164 dog. Play Buffalo.