NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Sabres vs Red Wings (November 30)

Sabres vs. Red Wings Odds

There is an Atlantic Division tilt for TNT's first game on Wednesday night with the Detroit Red Wings hosting the Buffalo Sabres.

This matchup is the second meeting between these two divisional foes this season with the Sabres winning the first contest 8-3 on Oct. 31 in Buffalo.

Will the Sabres take care of business once again, or can the Red Wings get their revenge on home ice?

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Sabres Are Scuffling

The Sabres enter this contest in terrible form as they have lost 10 of their last 12 games. Over that stretch, this group is just 1-4 on the road, a trend that is likely to continue in this matchup with goaltender Craig Anderson slated to take the crease for Buffalo.

Through nine appearances between the pipes this season, Anderson possesses a .917 SV% and 2.76 GAA. While those surface-level stats are very strong, his metrics suggest that regression is looming around the corner.

Among starting goaltenders, Anderson ranks just 23rd in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5v5. In front of the Sabres' netminder is a fade-worthy defense.

At 5v5, Buffalo ranks just 23rd in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). For this contest, the Sabres' blue line is going to be thin with defensemen Ilya Lyubushkin and Jacob Bryson both expected to miss this game.

Outside of Mattias Samuelsson, that leaves a very offensive-minded defensive group with the likes of Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Dating back to last season, a defensive identity for this team has yet to be established under head coach Don Granato.

Last year, Buffalo finished in the bottom third of the league in xGA/60. Entering this game, the Sabres have now allowed four or more goals in eight of their last 12 contests.

Buy Low On Red Wings Netminder

Unlike the Sabres, the Red Wings enter this contest in good form as they have won four of their last five games. Projected to start between the pipes for Detroit is goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic.

Nedeljkovic got rocked in his first start against Buffalo this season, allowing eight goals on 46 shots for a .826 SV%. However, now could be a good time to buy low on a guy who looked sharp in relief for normal starting goaltender Ville Husso on Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In that game, Nedeljkovic stopped all 12 shots he saw as the Red Wings' comeback fell short. In front of Nedeljkovic is a very strong defense.

At 5v5, Detroit ranks ninth in the league in xGA/60. The blue line's ability to suppress high-danger scoring chances has been demonstrated recently as they have allowed an average of just two goals per game over their last four contests.

Sabres vs. Red Wings Pick

Buffalo looked much stronger than it really is while jumping out to a 7-3 start to the season. Since then, the Sabres are just 2-9-1 with a -13 goal differential.

Anderson is due for regression, which could be easily realized given how poor the Sabres' thin blue line is in front of him. Meanwhile, Detroit is starting to figure things out with four wins over its last five games.

An adjustment period was expected from an otherwise talented roster, given the fact that this year is head coach Derek Lalonde's first season serving in a HC role at the NHL level. Previously, he was a two-time Cup winner as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning, so being around a winning culture is nothing new for "Newsy" Lalonde.

Look for Nedeljkovic to grab his revenge against Buffalo on home ice in this matchup.

Pick: Red Wings Moneyline (-145 or better)

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