Islanders vs Sabres NHL Spread & Betting Prediction

Islanders vs Sabres NHL Spread & Betting Prediction

Written by on February 12, 2019

The streaking New York Islanders will look to steal a big road win to extend their winning ways when they take on the Buffalo Sabres at the Keybank Center in Buffalo on Tuesday night. With Buffalo looking to find some consistency and both of these Stanley Cup hopefuls looking to improve their chances of reaching the postseason, let’s find out who’s offering the best value against their respective NHL betting odds in our online sportsbook.

Islanders vs Sabres NHL Spread & Betting Prediction

Why Bet on The New York Islanders?

Why should you consider betting on the Islanders in this matchup? The best reason would be because the Isles ead the NHL in fewest goals allowed per game at a stupendous 2.3 per contest. Not only that, but New York has gone a blistering 9-1-2 over their last dozen games and hit this contest riding the wave of a three-game winning streak that includes a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. Anthony Beauvillier scored in the first period and efenseman Devon Toews added a power-play goal in the second period that put the Isles on top for good.

“We’re at the top of our division,” forward Ryan Pulock said. “There are all those teams below us trying to catch us. It’s good, though. If we keep winning, they’re not going to be able to catch us.”

Last but not least, New York has gone an encouraging 16-9-0-2 on the road this season, so, clearly , they know how to win away from the comfy confines of home. The Islanders average a modest 2.9 goals per game (23rd) and have split their last four road games evenly.

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Goals: 2.91
  • Shots: 28.75
  • PP/PK Percentage: 16.07
Defense
  • Goals: 2.42
  • Shots: 30.58
  • PP/PK Percentage: 20.65

Why Bet On The Buffalo Sabres?

Are the Sabres a great bet in the NHL spread?

Why should you consider betting on the Sabres in this contest? The best reason to back Buffalo is that they’re clearly better at home than on the road. The Sabres have gone 16-8-4 on their home ice and they should be highly motivated after suffering a convincing 3-1 loss to Winnipeg on Sunday.

“Other teams are getting points and moving up the standings and we’re not,” 22-year-old team captain Jack Eichel said afterward. “I think the moral victories are a thing of the past at this point.”

Last but not least, the best reason to back Buffalo is the fact that they’re semi-desperate right about now as they look to improve on their second half push for a playoff berth.

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Goals: 2.95
  • Shots: 32.64
  • PP/PK Percentage: 18.18
Defense
  • Goals: 3.09
  • Shots: 32.62
  • PP/PK Percentage: 18

Islanders vs Sabres NHL Betting Trends

  • NY Islanders are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games
  • NY Islanders are 4-1 SU in the last 5 games
  • The total went UNDER in 11 of the NY Islanders’s last 13 games
  • Buffalo is 6-3 ATS in the last 9 games
  • Buffalo is 2-4 SU in the last 6 games
  • The total went OVER in 10 of Buffalo’s last 13 games

Expert Analysis and Prediction for Islanders vs Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres might be highly motivated – and semi-desperate – but it won’t help them beat a New York Islanders team that is clearly playing best hockey of the season over the last few weeks.

New York has gone an impressive 7-2 in their last 9 road games and 22-7 in their last 29 games against a team with a losing record while Buffalo has gone an uninspiring 5-13 in their last 18 games against their Eastern Conference counterparts and 13-39 in their last 52 games against teams from the Metropolitan division.

Both of these teams average an identical 2.9 goals per game, but New York is far superior at the defensive end of the ice and that’s why I like the Isles to get the outright road win in this one!

NHL Betting Pick: Islanders 3 Sabres 2