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

 The Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins face-off before the trade deadline. 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 Penguins host the red-hot Sabres. 

NHL Predictions featuring the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins

How to Watch: Sportsnet+, TVAS+, SNE, SNO, TVAS, ESPN

Penguins Story

Pittsburgh comes into this game off a 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. With the loss, the Penguins five-game point streak came to an end. Going 6-2-2 in their last 10, and an overall record of 31-16-3 on the season, the Penguins are in a great spot nearing the trade deadline. They sit second in the Metropolitan Division, with games in hand over the New York Islanders. With an injury to captain Sidney Crosby, however, Pittsburgh will need contributions from all around the lineup to get past a hot Buffalo Sabres squad. 

Erik Karlsson looked dominant against Boston, even in defeat. He scored a goal and made multiple plays throughout the game, generating offence from the blue line. With five goals and 39 points in 55 games, Karlsson leads the Penguins’ defence in scoring. Look out for star forward Evgeni Malkin and his line against Buffalo. Malkin has had a resurgent season, scoring 13 goals and 47 points in 45 games. While Malkin had success early in the season playing on the “Mutant” line with Justin Brazeau and Anthony Mantha, his production improved even further once Egor Chinakhov was brought into the fold. In the 22 games Chinakhov has played with Pittsburgh, almost exclusively on Malkin’s line, he’s scored 10 goals and 14 points. This duo, alongside Thomas Novak, are an important line to watch for against Buffalo. 

In net, expect Arturs Silovs to get the start as per the Penguins’ usual rotation. Silovs is 13-7-8 on the season with a .902 save percentage. He has found his groove lately, with wins in four of his last five starts. Now is a good time to remind you that it is always recommended to check official starting lineups before placing any sort of bet. 

Sabres Story

The Buffalo Sabres seem to have finally broken through their wall and completed their rebuild. Missing the playoffs for nearly a decade and a half, the Sabres 36-19-6 record heading into this game has them ranked second in the Atlantic Division. With an eight-point cushion over the Columbus Blue Jackets, looking to get into a wildcard spot, Buffalo is in an excellent spot to make the playoffs, barring a major collapse. This game will be crucial to figure out final deficiencies that the team may need to address ahead of the deadline. 

The Sabres are led in scoring by centre Tage Thompson. Thompson has 33 goals and 64 points in 61 games this season. Behind him, Captain Rasmus Dahlin leads the blue line in scoring with 12 goals and 53 points in 57 games. Pending free agent Alex Tuch is another player to look out for. The veteran winger has had a productive season with Buffalo, scoring 24 goals and 52 points in 60 games. Ahead of what might be a busy deadline for Buffalo. The team has established their key talent and could look to add to the core group of the team. 

In net, expect Alex Lyon to get the start in net. The career journeyman may have found a home in Buffalo, with a record of 16-8-3, and a dazzling .913 save percentage on the season. 

Prediction

Although the Penguins need to be racking up crucial points, the Buffalo Sabres are on an incredible run at the moment. Expect them to take advantage of a weakened Penguins team, especially at the face-off dot, and get the win in this game.

Prediction: Sabres win 5-3

Prop Bet of the Night

Expect a higher scoring game in which a popular prop bet of goals over seven with odds of +180 is a good bet. 

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