Sabres vs Oilers: Expert NHL Prediction March 6, 2023

Odds

2021-2022 season stats

Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are set to host the Edmonton Oilers in an exciting match-up at the Canada Life Centre on March 4th, 2023. Both teams are fighting for position in their respective divisions, and a win in this game could be a significant boost for their playoff chances. The Sabres have been a tough team to beat at home, and the Oilers will have to bring their A-game if they want to come away with a victory.

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NHL this season, largely due to the incredible performances of their two star forwards, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Draisaitl has been having a career-best season, leading the league with 41 goals and 55 assists, while McDavid has been his usual dominant self, with 87 points in just 52 games played. The dynamic duo has been the driving force behind the Oilers' success this season, and they will need to continue to lead the charge if they hope to defeat the Buffalo Sabres.

One area where the Oilers have excelled this season is on the power play. They currently have the best power play in the league, with a 31.9% success rate. The Oilers have scored a total of 73 power-play goals, which is the most in the league by a wide margin. This lethal power play has been a major factor in the Oilers' offensive success this season and will be a key factor in their game against the Sabres.

However, the Oilers' defense has been suspect this season, allowing an average of 3.2 goals per game. This could be a concern for the Oilers heading into their game against the Sabres, who have a potent offense of their own. The Oilers will need to tighten up defensively and limit the Sabres' scoring opportunities if they hope to come away with a win.

The Oilers will be without several key players for this game, including Evander Kane, Ryan Murray, Oscar Klefbom, and Mike Smith. This could make it difficult for them to keep up with the Sabres' high-powered offense, but with Draisaitl and McDavid leading the way, the Oilers will always be a threat to score. In addition, goaltender Stuart Skinner has been on a hot streak, starting in five of the Oilers' previous six games and relieving Jack Campbell in the other one. The 24-year-old rookie has been playing well, with a 2.88 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. However, with the Sabres' potent offense, Skinner will need to be at his best to keep the Oilers in the game.

Overall, the Edmonton Oilers have been a top offensive team this season, ranking 6th in the league with an average of 3.6 goals per game. However, their defense has been suspect, and they will need to tighten up defensively if they hope to come away with a win against the Sabres. With their lethal power play and two star forwards leading the way, the Oilers will always be a threat to score, but they will need to play a complete game if they hope to come away with a win.

In conclusion, the Edmonton Oilers have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NHL this season, largely due to the outstanding play of their star forwards Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. The Oilers' lethal power play has been a major factor in their success this season, but their defense has been suspect, allowing an average of 3.2 goals per game. The Oilers will need to tighten up defensively and limit the Sabres' scoring opportunities if they hope to come away with a win. With Draisaitl and McDavid leading the way, and goaltender Stuart Skinner playing well, the Oilers will always be a threat to score and should make for an exciting game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have been one of the more surprising teams in the NHL this season, exceeding expectations and currently sitting fourth in the Atlantic Division with a 32-25-4 record. A large part of their success can be attributed to the outstanding play of forward Alex Tuch, who has been a dominant force with 62 points in just 50 games played this season. Unfortunately, Tuch will be out for this game due to an undisclosed injury, leaving a big hole in the Sabres' offensive lineup.

Despite the absence of Tuch, the Sabres still have a potent offense that ranks third in the league with an average of 3.7 goals per game. They have been getting contributions from throughout their lineup, with forwards Victor Olofsson, Sam Reinhart, and Casey Mittelstadt all having strong seasons. Meanwhile, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin has also been playing well, with 33 points in 61 games played. The Sabres will need to continue to rely on their offensive depth to compete with the high-powered Oilers.

While the Sabres have a strong offense, their defense has been equally impressive this season, allowing just 2.9 goals per game. However, they will need to be especially strong against the Oilers' potent offense, which has been one of the best in the league this season. The Sabres will be looking to build on their recent success and continue their push for a playoff spot. With a solid defense and potent offense, the Sabres could be a tough team to beat in this game.

In terms of injuries, the Buffalo Sabres have been relatively healthy as of late. They recently saw the return of defenseman Rasmus Dahlin to their blue line on Saturday, which is a huge boost for their team. However, there is some uncertainty surrounding the status of their new defensive acquisition, Riley Stillman. Stillman was forced to leave Saturday's game after getting into a fight, and it remains unclear whether or not he will be available for the game against the Edmonton Oilers. Regardless, the Sabres will need to remain focused on their defensive game plan to contain the Oilers' potent offense.

Overall, this game between the Oilers and Sabres has the potential to be a high-scoring affair. While the Oilers have been dominant on the power play, the Sabres' offense and solid defense could make this a closely contested game. The absence of Tuch will certainly hurt the Sabres' offensive depth, but they still have the potential to put up goals against the Oilers. The key for the Sabres will be to remain disciplined defensively and take advantage of any opportunities on the offensive end. Ultimately, this game could come down to which team can capitalize on their scoring chances and limit their defensive mistakes.

BETTING TRENDS

The total has gone OVER in 9 of Edmonton's last 12 games.

Edmonton are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games against Buffalo.

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Edmonton's last 6 games on the road.

Edmonton are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Buffalo.

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Edmonton's last 9 games against an opponent in the Eastern Conference conference.

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Buffalo's last 7 games.

Buffalo are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games against Edmonton.

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games at home.

Buffalo are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Edmonton.

Prediction

Both the Oilers and Sabres have potent offenses and suspect defenses, which suggests that this game could be a high-scoring affair. The Oilers have scored 3.6 goals per game this season, while the Sabres have scored 3.7 goals per game. Both teams also allow over three goals per game, which further supports the idea that this could be a high-scoring game.

In terms of the point total, the over/under is set at 6.5 goals. Given the offensive firepower of both teams and their suspect defenses, I believe that the over will cash in this game. The Oilers have gone over 6.5 goals in four of their last ten games, while the Sabres have gone over 6.5 goals in six of their last ten games.

Overall, this game should be an exciting one, with both teams looking to score early and often. While the Oilers have been hit hard by injuries, they still have Draisaitl and McDavid leading the way, and they should be able to put up a good fight against the Sabres. However, I believe that the Sabres' strong home record and potent offense will give them the edge in this game, and they will come out on top in a high-scoring affair.

PICK: Over 6.5 (-110) 

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