Buffalo Sabres Travel to Calgary to Face the Flames

The Buffalo Sabres will head to the Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday night to take on the Calgary Flames in a non-conference matchup. This will be the second and final game against one another this season. The Flames were able to pick up a 5-0 shutout road victory against the Sabres back on November 18.

The Sabres are sixth in the Atlantic Division (20-32-8, 48 points) this season, while the Flames are sitting atop of the Pacific Division (36-16-7, 79 points). 

There seems to be a distinct difference between these two franchises, so we should be in an interesting matchup. Can the Sabres pull off an upset on the road?

Game Preview: Buffalo Sabres at Calgary Flames March 18

The Sabres have been struggling a bit offensively this season as they are averaging 2.67 goals on 29.8 shot attempts. Right winger Tage Thompson is tied for 30th in the NHL and has 44 points (24 goals, 20 assists) with just three points in his previous five games.

Defensively, goaltender Dustin Tokarski is not doing well as he is a brutal 5-9-4 with a .902 save percentage and 3.26 goals allowed per game. As a team, they are allowing 3.52 goals on 34.1 shots. 

The Flames are doing well on the offensive side of the ice as they are scoring 3.42 goals on 35.8 shots this season. They are being led by left winger Johnny Gaudreau, who is tied for second in the sport in assists and fourth in points as he posted 78 points (26 goals, 52 assists) and recorded seven points in his previous five games.

Goalie Jacob Markstrom has been one of the greatest in the sport as he is 28-11-6 with 2.07 goals allowed per game and a .928 save percentage this season. Calgary is giving up 2.42 goals on 29.2 shot attempts as a team right now. 

Buffalo Sabres at Calgary Flames Betting Prediction

Buffalo is not doing well as they are just 9-16-4 on the road this season, while Calgary is a dominant 18-5-5 inside of the Scotiabank Saddledome this year.

These defenses have been the biggest difference between these two franchises throughout the entire regular season. The Sabres are giving up 3.2 goals per game this season, while the Flames are only allowing two goals in that same span.

Left winger Johnny Gaudreau has dominated throughout the season and should control the game. Both teams are doing well against the spread as Buffalo is 33-27 this season while Calgary is currently 32-27 against the spread, so there is not any advantage lurking here.

All in all, go with the Calgary Flames to dominate at home and cover the puck line.

* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.