Buffalo at Vancouver

This is a long road trip for the rebuilding Buffalo offense. It's the third straight road contest for the Sabres on a four-game trip. They have upgraded the defense this season with Rasmus Ristolainen, who is playing well on both ends of the ice. Buffalo is 12-5-8 UNDER the total when their opponent allows two or fewer goals in their previous game, and they head to a surprising first-place Vancouver team that is playing great defense, third in the NHL in goals allowed (1.7 per game). Vancouver is off a 2-1 win over St. Louis, allowing five total goals in three games. Vancouver is 39-19-14 UNDER the total in the fourth game of a four-in-six days situation. All of which means look for both teams to focus on defense first. This one stays UNDER.