The Buffalo Sabres (14-20-4) travel to face off against the Colorado Avalanche (23-15-0) on Thursday, January 2nd. This game will be played at Ball Arena in Denver and televised on ESPN+. Both the Sabres and Avalanche will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:00 ET.

Sabres vs Avalanche

The Buffalo Sabres Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

With a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings, the Sabres dropped to 14-20-4 this season. Buffalo held a 1-0 lead after the first period, but Detroit responded with two goals in the second to secure the win.

The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for just 3. As underdogs on the puck line, the Sabres failed to cover. Alex Tuch scored Buffalo’s lone goal, finding the net at 11:39 in the first period.

The Colorado Avalanche Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

With a 5-2 loss to Nashville, the Avalanche now sit at 23-15-0. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 7 goals surpassed that mark. Colorado, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover.

Colorado took the lead with a goal from Cale Makar at 17:06 in the second period, but Nashville responded with five unanswered goals. Nathan MacKinnon scored for the Avalanche in the third period, narrowing the gap to 3-2 before the Predators added two empty-net goals.

Buffalo Offense Breakdown

Buffalo’s offense managed 32 shots on goal but only found the net once in their 2-1 loss to the Red Wings. Alex Tuch scored his 5th goal of the season, an unassisted, shorthanded effort 8:21 into the first period.

The Sabres were held scoreless in the second and third periods and recorded 13 giveaways in the game.

Avalanche Offense Breakdown

Colorado took 30 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 5-2 loss to Nashville. Cale Makar opened the scoring with his 5th goal of the season, a power-play strike in the second period. Nathan MacKinnon added his 6th goal late in the third.

MacKinnon also picked up his 14th assist on Makar’s goal, while Makar earned his 16th assist on MacKinnon’s third-period goal. The Avalanche had 23 giveaways in the game.

Buffalo Team Defense

Buffalo’s defense gave up both of their goals in the second period, with both coming on the power play. The Sabres will look to improve their discipline after taking 8 penalty minutes. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finished with 21 saves and a 91.3% save percentage.

Colorado Team Defense

After the Avalanche took a 1-0 lead, their defense allowed five goals, including three in the 3rd period. Justus Annunen made 21 saves with a save percentage of 87.5%. Colorado’s defense also recorded 11 takeaways and 26 hits.

Sabres vs Avalanche Trends

• When looking at their past five road matchups, Buffalo has an puck line record of 2-3 while averaging 3 per game. The team went 2-3 overall in these games.
• When looking at their past three matchups at home, Colorado has an puck line record of 3-0 while averaging 5 per game. The team went 3-0 overall in these games.
• The last five games that Colorado was the underdog, they have an puck line mark of 2-3 while going 2-3 straight up.
• The last ten games that Buffalo was favored, they have an puck line mark of 2-8 while going 5-5 straight up.

Sabres vs Avalanche Prediction

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Sabres to take down the Avalanche on the road. With the moneyline currently at +187, I’m placing my bet on the Sabres straight-up.

Our projections have the Sabres pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Sabres, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are 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.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.