The Vancouver Canucks (11-7-3) travel to face off against the Buffalo Sabres (11-10-1) on Friday, November 29th. This game will be played at KeyBank Center in Buffalo and televised on ESPN+. The Canucks are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Sabres are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Red Wings. Puck drop is set for 3:00 ET.
Canucks vs Sabres
The Vancouver Canucks Are Coming Off A Win
With a 3-2 win over the Sharks, the Canucks improved to 11-7-3 this season. Vancouver was favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 5 goals fell short of that mark.
All three of Vancouver’s goals came after the Sharks scored first. Pius Suter tied the game in the second period and later scored the game-winner with just 26 seconds left in regulation.
The Buffalo Sabres Look To Bounce Back From A Loss
Buffalo fell to 11-10-1 after a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings. The Sabres were underdogs on the puck line and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for just 3.
Buffalo took the lead with a short-handed goal by Alex Tuch in the first period, but the Red Wings responded with two power-play goals in the second. The Sabres failed to score the rest of the way.
Vancouver Offense Breakdown
Pius Suter led the Canucks with two goals, including his 3rd and 4th of the season, while Jake DeBrusk added his 1st goal of the year. Suter’s second goal came with just 26 seconds left in the game, securing a 3-2 win for Vancouver.
The Canucks took 27 shots on goal but also had 25 giveaways. They were held scoreless in the 1st period, before Suter got them on the board at 14:41 in the 2nd. DeBrusk followed with a goal at 15:38 in the 3rd period.
Sabres Offense Breakdown
Buffalo’s offense managed 32 shots on goal, but only Alex Tuch found the net in a 2-1 loss to Detroit. Tuch’s fifth goal of the season came on a shorthanded effort, with no assists recorded.
After Tuch’s goal at 8:21 in the first period, the Sabres were held scoreless. They had 13 giveaways and couldn’t capitalize on any power play opportunities.
Vancouver Team Defense
Defensively, the Canucks gave up the first goal at 2:37 into the second period and another at 18:43 in the third, but they held on for a 3-2 win. Kevin Lankinen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage. The Canucks’ defense also recorded 5 takeaways and 24 hits.
Buffalo Team Defense
Defensively, the Sabres will look to bounce back after giving up two goals in the second period of their previous game, both of which came on the power play. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, and the Sabres’ defense finished with 5 takeaways and 17 hits.
Canucks vs Sabres Trends
- Vancouver has played well in their previous three road games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 3 goals per game while allowing 2. The team also performed well vs the puck line at 2-1.
- Although Buffalo has a straight up record of 3-2 in their last five home games, they have not held up as well vs. the puck line going 2-3. The team averaged 3 goals per game in these games.
- Spanning across their last three games as the betting underdog, the Sabres have gone 2-1 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-2.
- As the betting favorite, the Canucks have an puck line record of 3-2 in their last five games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 3-2.
Canucks vs Sabres Prediction
For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Sabres to pick up on a win over the Canucks at home. With the moneyline sitting at -104, I’ll be locking in a 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.
For those looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* 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.
Last updated:November 29, 2024 Canucks, Sabres