Buffalo Sabres vs LA Kings Prediction NHL Picks 11/20/24

In this article, we will formulate a Buffalo Sabres vs LA Kings prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, November 20th at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are 8-9-1 this year after they lost to Philadelphia by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Buffalo allowed the first four goals in the game, but they did score twice in the third to avoid the shutout. The Sabres were outshot by a total of 32-25, won 49.4% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from McLeod and Dahlin, while Levi stopped 27 out of 31 shots in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Sabres defeated St. Louis by a score of 4-3 but did lose to Montreal by a score of 7-5 before that. Buffalo has scored 3.33 goals per game and they have allowed 3.39 goals against per game, while also going 17.9% on the power play and 77% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson (questionable) has led Buffalo with 11 goals, seven assists, and 51 shots on goal, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 6-4-1 with a 2.83 goals against average and a .903 save percentage this year. 

LA Kings Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Kings are 10-6-3 this season after they defeated Detroit by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Los Angeles scored twice in the first and twice in the third for a comfortable win. The Kings outshot Detroit by a total of 41-18, won 55.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Los Angeles got goals from Jeannot, Kempe (2), and Anderson, while Rittich stopped 17 out of 19 shots in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Kings lost to Colorado by a score of 4-2 and Calgary by a score of 3-1. Los Angeles has scored 3.21 goals per game and they have allowed 2.84 goals against per game, while also going 15.5% on the power play and 80.3% on the penalty kill this season. Anze Kopitar has led LA with five goals, 16 assists, and 20 shots on goal, while David Rittich is 6-4-0 with a 2.52 goals against average and an .892 save percentage this year. The Kings will face the Kraken following this game.

Why the Kings will beat the Sabres

• The Kings have won five of their last six night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The favorites have covered the puck line in four of the Kings’ last five games.
• The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four games against Pacific Division opponents.
• The Sabres have lost the second period in four of their last five games against Pacific Division opponents.

Why the Sabres will beat the Kings

• The Kings have lost each of their last three games as favorites following a win.
• The underdogs have won each of the last three games between the Sabres and Kings.
• The Sabres have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games as underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
• The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games following a home win.
• The Kings have lost the third period in three of their last four home games following a win.

Total Goals Facts

• Four of the Kings’ last five night games against Atlantic Division opponents at Crypto.com Arena have gone OVER the total goal line.
• Four of the Sabres’ last five games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last 10 games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last eight games as underdogs.

Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts

• Adrian Kempe has scored at least one goal in each of his last four appearances against Atlantic Division opponents at Crypto.com Arena.
• Trevor Moore has recorded at least one point in nine of the Kings’ last 10 games.
• Anze Kopitar has recorded at least one assist in each of the Kings’ last four games.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

• Tage Thompson has recorded an assist in each of the Sabres’ last four road games against Pacific Division opponents.
• Rasmus Dahlin has scored a goal in four of the Sabres’ last five games.
• Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres’ last six games.

Buffalo Sabres vs LA Kings Prediction 

Los Angeles comes into this game after dominating the Red Wings last time out and they are 5-1-1 at home this year. The Kings have been a pretty solid defensive team this year, but their offense is slightly inconsistent, as they have scored two goals or fewer in three of their last five games. Buffalo is just 2-4-1 on the road this year and they have allowed 15 goals in their last three games. The Sabres defense/goaltending right now is a big concern and I think we will see plenty of goals once again here. Take the over.