The Buffalo Sabres and the Minnesota Wild meet in NHL action from the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday. Who comes out on top in this inter-conference matchup? Let’s dive in and find out with our Sabres vs. Wild Prediction.
Buffalo Sabres Team Preview
The Buffalo Sabres come into this one looking to rebound from a 4-0 loss to Florida last time out. Casey Mittelstadt leads the Sabres in scoring with 43 points including a team-high 31 assists while Rasmus Dahlin has 41 points with 14 goals and 27 assists. Jeff Skinner has 34 points with 17 goals while JJ Peterka has 36 points with a team-high 19 goals and 17 assists. Alex Tuch also has 36 points with 15 goals and 21 assists this season. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has a 13-13-2 record with a 2.51 GAA and a .913 save percentage while Devon Levi is 9-7-2 with a 3.30 GAA and an .891 save percentage and Eric Comrie is 1-6 with a 3.87 GAA and an .869 save percentage this season in goal for the Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres Team Facts
- The Sabres have won five of their last six games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in 12 of their last 13 games as underdogs following a home loss.
- The Sabres have won the third period in 14 of their last 15 games as underdogs following a loss.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 14 of the Sabres’ last 15 games following a loss.
Minnesota Wild Team Preview
The Minnesota Wild come into this one looking to build on a four-game win streak after a 3-1 win over Arizona last time out. Kirill Kaprizov leads the Wild in scoring with 50 points including 20 goals and 30 assists while Mats Zuccarello has 40 points with a team-high 31 assists. Joel Eriksson Ek has 44 points with a team-high 24 goals while Matt Boldy has 40 points with 19 goals and 21 assists and Marco Rossi has 29 points with 14 goals and 15 assists as well. Brock Faber also has 33 points with 29 assists this season. Filip Gustavsson has posted a 15-13-2 record with a 3.19 GAA and an .897 save percentage while Marc-Andre Fleury is 10-9-3 with a 2.83 GAA and a .902 save percentage this season. The Wild will meet the Canucks after this one.
Minnesota Wild Team Facts
- The underdogs have won each of the Wild’s last three games at Xcel Energy Center.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last eight games between the Sabres and Wild.
- The Wild have won the first period in each of their last five games as favorites following a road win.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last nine games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Sabres vs. Wild Prediction
I’m on Minnesota here. The Wild have been rock solid out of the all-star break and I’m not really looking to step in front of them right now, especially when the Buffalo Sabres are the alternative. The Sabres are far too inconsistent for my liking, especially on the road and I think Minnesota defends home ice in this one. Give me the Wild.