Colorado Avalanche vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction NHL Picks 12/3/24

In this article, we will formulate a Colorado Avalanche vs Buffalo Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 3rd at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview

The Colorado Avalanche are 13-12-0 this year after they lost to Edmonton by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Colorado led 1-0 in the first period, but they allowed the last four goals in the game for the loss. A total of 32-28 outshot the Avalanche, won 30.2% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Colorado got their lone goal from Kovalenko, while Georgiev stopped 28 out of 31 shots in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Avalanche lost to Dallas by a score of 5-3 but did beat Vegas by a score of 2-1 before that. Colorado has scored 3.20 goals per game and they have allowed 3.72 goals against per game, while also going 27.2% on the power play and 71.9% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with seven goals, 29 assists, and 96 shots on goal, while Alexandar Georgiev is 7-7-0 with a 3.31 goals against average and an .875 save percentage this year. 

Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are 11-11-2 this season after they lost to the Islanders by a score of 3-0 in their last game. Buffalo allowed two goals in the second and one in the third for the shutout loss. The Sabres outshot New York by a total of 29-20, won 42.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Buffalo was led by Thompson and Power, who each had four shots on goal, while Reimer stopped 17 out of 19 shots in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Sabres lost to Vancouver by a score of 4-3 and Minnesota by a score of 1-0. Buffalo has scored 2.96 goals per game and they have allowed 3.04 goals against per game, while also going 15.3% on the power play and 80% on the penalty kill this season. Alex Tuch has led Buffalo with eight goals, 14 assists, and 60 shots on goal, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 8-5-2 with a 2.54 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage this year. 

Why the Avalanche will beat the Sabres

• The Avalanche have won each of their last seven Tuesday road games.
• The Sabres have lost each of their last three games.
• The Avalanche have covered the puck line in four of their last five games against the Sabres at KeyBank Center.
• The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four night games at KeyBank Center against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Sabres have lost the second period in four of their last five games at KeyBank Center.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Avalanche’s last six games against opponents on a losing streak has gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Sabres’ last four games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak has gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last 11 night games against opponents on a losing streak.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 10 Tuesday night games at KeyBank Center.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

• Tage Thompson has recorded an assist in four of his last five appearances in night games at KeyBank Center.
• Alex Tuch has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres’ last eight Tuesday night games.

Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts

• Mikko Rantanen has scored a goal in seven of his last eight appearances with the Avalanche as favorites against the Sabres.
• Mikko Rantanen has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Avalanche’s last 10 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Mikko Rantanen has recorded at least one point in each of the Avalanche’s last 13 games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Mikko Rantanen has scored the last goal in three of the Avalanche’s last four road games against the Sabres.

Colorado Avalanche vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction 

Buffalo comes into this matchup trying to snap a three-game losing streak, but they have also been shut out in two of those three games. The Sabres are 6-6-1 at home this year, while the Avalanche are 6-5-0 on the road. Colorado has dropped three of their last four games and they have allowed a total of 17 goals in those three losses. Neither team is in good form right now, but I trust the Colorado offense more than I trust Buffalo’s. Take the Avs here.