Buffalo Sabres vs Dallas Stars Prediction NHL Picks 12/31/24

In this article, we will formulate a Buffalo Sabres vs Dallas Stars prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 31st at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are 14-19-4 this season after they defeated St. Louis by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Buffalo was tied at two in the third period, but they scored the last two goals in the game for the win. The Sabres were outshot by a total of 37-16, won 40% of the face-offs, and went 2-3 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Krebs, Kulich, Thompson, and Zucker, while UPL stopped 35 out of 37 shots in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Sabres defeated the Blackhawks by a score of 6-2 and the Islanders by a score of 7-1, but they did lose the previous 13 games. Buffalo has won three games in a row, but they are currently tied for last in the Atlantic with 32 points. Buffalo has scored 3.05 goals per game and they have allowed 3.32 goals against per game, while also averaging 16% on the power play and 78% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 18 goals, 11 assists, and 91 shots on goal, while Alex Tuch has added 12 goals, 16 assists, and 83 shots on goal. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 11-11-3 with a 2.95 goals against average and an .898 save percentage this year. 

Dallas Stars Betting Preview

The Dallas Stars are 21-13-1 this year after they defeated Chicago by a score of 5-1 in their last game. Dallas trailed 1-0 in the first period, but they scored the last five goals in the game for the win. The Stars outshot Chicago by a total of 35-25, won 58.5% of the face-offs, and went 1-7 on the power play in the game. Dallas got goals from Benn, Dadonov, Duchene, Johnston, and Robertson, while Oettinger stopped 24 out of 25 shots in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Stars lost to Minnesota by a score of 3-2, but they did beat Utah by a score of 3-2 prior to that. Dallas has lost three of their last five games and they are right in the middle of the Central standings with 43 points. Dallas has scored 3.17 goals per game and they have allowed 2.54 goals against per game, while also averaging 15.4% on the power play and 84.7% on the penalty kill this season. Matt Duchene has led Dallas with 14 goals, 19 assists, and 61 shots on goal, while Mason Marchment has added 12 goals, 15 assists, and 80 shots on goal. Jake Oettinger is 17-9-1 with a 2.38 goals against average and a .909 save percentage this year. 

Why the Stars will beat the Sabres

• The Sabres have lost 11 of their last 13 night games.
• The Stars have won each of their last three games at American Airlines Center against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Stars have covered the puck line in each of their last three games at American Airlines Center against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Sabres have lost the second period in each of their last three night games against Central Division opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Nine of the Stars’ last 10 games against opponents on a winning streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Six of the Sabres’ last seven games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Stars’ last 12 Tuesday night games.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in four of the Sabres’ last five games against Central Division opponents.

Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts

• Matt Duchene has recorded at least one assist in six of the Stars’ last seven games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Evgenii Dadonov has scored at least one goal in each of the Stars’ last four games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Jason Robertson has recorded at least one point in each of the Stars’ last eight Tuesday home games.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

• JJ Peterka has recorded at least one point in seven of the Sabres’ last eight night games.
• Rasmus Dahlin has scored a goal in each of the Sabres’ last three night games at American Airlines Center.
• Jason Zucker has recorded an assist in four of the Sabres’ last five games against Central Division opponents.

Buffalo Sabres vs Dallas Stars Prediction 

These two teams have met once before this season, with Buffalo winning by a score of 4-2 at home. The Sabres are 7-9-1 on the road this year, while the Stars are 13-5-1 at home. Dallas has won two of their last three games, while Buffalo is looking for their fourth straight win. 

Both teams are very similar offensively, but Dallas is the much better defensive team, as they are allowing just 2.54 goals per game. The Stars have struggled a little bit over the last few weeks, but they are still one of the top teams in the NHL. Dallas has been fantastic at home this season and I don’t see that changing here. Take the Stars -1.5 here.