Sabres vs Panthers Odds, Pick & Prediction | NHL Betting Preview
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Sabres vs Panthers Odds
| Sabres Odds | +190 |
| Panthers Odds | -230 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -120 / +100 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Buffalo Sabres vs Florida Panthers on Saturday, April 13 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Sabres vs Panthers odds have the Panthers listed as -230 favorites on the moneyline with an over/under of 5.5. I'll be targeting a different market for my Sabres vs Panthers prediction, as I see value on the Florida puck line (-1.5; +126).
The Sabres are fresh off a convincing win against the Capitals by the score of 4-2. We won’t see playoff hockey in Western New York for a 13th straight season though as the Sabres prepare for another early offseason.
Toward the end of the season, the Panthers struggled. However, they’re still one point away from taking the lead of the Atlantic Division. They’re on a good trajectory as winners of two in a row.
Let's get to my Sabres vs Panthers pick for Saturday.
There’s so much offensive flare on this team ranging from Alex Tuch, Tage Thompson, and JJ Peterka. However, Buffalo has a really solid defensive corps that I think can do damage next season. Rasmus Dahlin is among the elite defensemen, while Owen Power and Bowen Byram have become staples on this blue line.
Despite the talent, the Sabres still struggle to create efficient 5-on-5 play. Since March 25, they’re been 23rd in expected goals with a 46.58 xGF% and 29th defensively with a 3.88 xGA/60.
Buffalo’s power play really hasn’t been strong over the past 10 games, scoring at only a 15% clip. The penalty kill has fared strong though at 81%.
I’ll expect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to finish out the season for the Sabres. He’s had himself a great season with a .910 SV% and an 8.4 goals saved above expected (GSAx). To top it all off, he’s played to a solid .906 SV% in his past five starts.
Florida is loaded with a few point-per-game players. Sam Reinhart, who demolished his career high with 54 goals, has points in three out of his past four games, and Matthew Tkachuk has points in four out of his past five.
Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe are also having wonderful seasons. This team has incredible depth.
Florida has held really strong at 5-on-5 play. For the past three weeks, it’s posted a fifth-best 56.6 xGF%, and a sixth best 2.72 xGA/60.
Conversely, the power play hasn’t worked out the way it usually has. The Panthers have scored on a 10.6% clip, but the penalty kill has thrived at 87%.
Sergei Bobrovsky will take the crease tonight, and he’s posted two shutouts in his past three games. I’d expect him to have a strong outing as he typically shows up in important games. For the most part, he’s had a really solid season, posting a .914 SV% and a 15.6 GSAx.
Sabres vs. Panthers
Betting Pick & Prediction
This is only an important game for the Panthers as they’re still battling for that division title. Buffalo has a good enough team to compete with them, but it’s not a particularly great road team at 17-18-4.
On the other hand, Florida is dominant in front of its home fans, with a 24-13-2 record. Not only that, but the Panthers have had the Sabres number all season long, going 2-0 in the season series.
I think Florida has the upper hand here. Not only does it have the more skilled roster, but it’s the only team playing for anything significant. The Panthers can skate circles around the Sabres, and think we’ll be seeing more of that tonight.
Pick: Panthers -1.5 (+126)
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