NHL Predictions: February 5th, Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres

Welcome back to NHL Predictions here with Last Word On Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for games around the NHL. In tonight’s matchup, the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins look to go into the Olympic break with a victory.

NHL Predictions with Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres

Head-to-Head: Penguins 1 – 0 Sabres

Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SNE, ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice, MSG-B, SN-PIT

Penguins Story

Pittsburgh comes into this game off of a 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders in overtime. With the loss, the Penguins have lost two straight and are 7-1-2 in their last 10. With an overall record of 28-15-12, Pittsburgh sits second in the Metropolitan Division, a point ahead of the Islanders with two games in hand.

In the final game before the Olympic break, the Penguins are looking to end their losing skid and build some momentum. A factor to look out for in this game is going to be the Penguins’ power play. Although it’s top five in the NHL this season, it’s gone cold over the last week or so. However, the team’s penalty kill has gone in the opposite direction and now ranks third in the NHL. Against one of the league’s hottest teams in the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres, special teams will be crucial for success. 

Even in the loss, there are some positives coming out of the last game. The biggest one is the continued excellence of recent addition Egor Chinakhov. Scoring a goal against the Islanders, Chinakhov is up to eight goals and 11 points through 17 games with the Penguins. With a goal in the game, Anthony Mantha has put together a terrific season with the organization as well. The winger has 20 goals and 41 points through 55 games this season. Another recent addition, Ilya Solovyov, has also been doing well in his first few games with the black and gold. The Russian defenceman coming over from the Colorado Avalanche through trade has appeared in four games so far with the Penguins. Playing a primarily defensive role, Solovyov has scored two assists and given valuable minutes to Pittsburgh so far. 

Arturs Silovs is it expected to start in the net as per the Penguins’ usual rotation; however, this is subject to change, especially with this being the final game before the Olympic break. Always check up-to-date lineups before the game before locking in any kind of bet. Silovs is 10-7-8 this season with an .895 save percentage. However, at this point it is a good time for our disclaimer. Please check social media for the latest rosters updates before locking in your daily fantasy starters. 

Sabres Story

The Buffalo Sabres seem to have come alive after nearly a decade and a half of missing the playoffs. Earlier in the season, it seemed like Buffalo was once again headed for a failed season. However, the last 25-game stretch for Buffalo has been nothing short of spectacular.

It seems that the team will finally qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs so long as things don’t fall apart from here. Coming into this game off a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime, Buffalo is 6-2-2 in their last ten. With a record of 32-18-6, the Sabres are third in the Atlantic Division, two points behind the Detroit Red Wings with a game in hand. While Atlantic Division teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins closely trail Buffalo in wildcard spots, Buffalo has a five-to-seven-point buffer over teams outside of the playoffs that are trying to take over one of the aforementioned teams. 

The Buffalo Sabres have long been known as a team with a ton of young talent and an inability to put everything together. This season, however, it seems a talent has finally put things together. Centre Tage Thompson leads Buffalo in scoring. He has 29 goals and 58 points in 56 games. Behind him, soon-to-be unrestricted free agent forward Alex Tuch is second on the team with 22 goals and 48 points through 55 games. Captain Rasmus Dahlin has put together a fantastic season as well. The Swedish defenceman has 11 goals and 47 points through 52 games. 

With the injury to goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, expect Alex Lyon to start this game. Lyon is 14-7-3 this season with a stellar .914 save percentage. 

Prediction

As great a stretch as the Penguins were having, they seem to have slowed down over the last couple of games. While the Olympic break will likely do this roster well in getting some much-needed rest, they’ve looked flat compared to the Buffalo Sabres. Expect Buffalo to pull out yet another win in this game.

NHL Prediction: Sabres win 5-3

Prop Bet of the Night

The Sabres and the Penguins are both teams that like to score a ton of goals. As such, a popular prop of goals over seven with odds of +140 is a good bet. 

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