The Pittsburgh Penguins (18-20-8) travel to face off against the Buffalo Sabres (17-22-5) on Friday, January 17th. This game will be played at KeyBank Center in Buffalo and televised on ESPN+. The Penguins 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 7:00 ET.
Penguins vs Sabres
The Pittsburgh Penguins Are Coming Off A Win
Pittsburgh’s 3-1 win over the Canadiens moved them to 18-20-8 this season. The Penguins entered the game as -1.5 goal favorites and covered the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined 4 goals fell short of that mark.
Sidney Crosby led the way with two goals, and Blake Lizotte added an empty-netter to seal the victory. The Penguins kept the Canadiens scoreless until the third period, when Christian Dvorak found the net at 14:28.
The Buffalo Sabres Look To Bounce Back From A Loss
Buffalo fell to 17-22-5 with a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings. The Sabres led 1-0 after the first period, but Detroit responded with two goals in the second to hand Buffalo the defeat.
The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for only 3, falling well short of the line. Buffalo, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover. Their only goal came from Alex Tuch, who scored at 11:39 in the first period.
Pittsburgh Offense Breakdown
Sidney Crosby led the way for the Penguins in their 3-1 victory over Montreal, scoring twice on three shots, including his 5th goal of the season on a power play. Blake Lizotte added his 2nd goal of the year, finding the net on his only shot, with his goal coming on an empty net.
The Penguins took 24 shots on goal and recorded 14 giveaways. They scored once in each period, with their first goal coming at 4:03 into the opening period.
Sabres Offense Breakdown
Buffalo’s offense struggled in their 2-1 loss to the Red Wings, with Alex Tuch scoring the team’s only goal on a shorthanded opportunity. Tuch took five shots on goal, and the Sabres managed 32 shots overall.
Despite generating 32 shots, the Sabres were held scoreless after Tuch’s goal at 8:21 in the first period. Buffalo recorded 13 giveaways in the game.
Pittsburgh Team Defense
Defensively, the Penguins will look to build on their performance from the previous game, where they allowed just one goal to the Canadiens. Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves with a 96.2% save percentage. Pittsburgh’s defense also contributed 5 takeaways and 19 hits.
Buffalo Team Defense
Buffalo’s defense gave up both goals in the second period, with both coming on the power play. The first was at 7:49, and the second at 14:38. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, while the Sabres’ defense added 5 takeaways and 17 hits.
Penguins vs Sabres Trends
- In their last three road games, Pittsburgh has averaged 2 goals per game while allowing 3. The team’s record in this stretch was 0-3 while going 2-1.
- The Sabres are 3-2 puck line in their last home games and 3-2 straight-up.
- In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Sabres have a straight up record of 5-5 and an puck line mark of 6-4.
- In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Penguins have a straight up record of 6-4 and an puck line mark of 4-6.
Penguins vs Sabres Prediction
If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Sabres to take down the Penguins at home. With the moneyline currently at -131, I’m placing my bet on the Sabres straight-up.
If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Penguins to cover. Even if the Sabres manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Penguins should 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.
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:January 17, 2025 Penguins, Sabres