Buffalo Sabres (0-2) vs LA Kings (0-0)
Game Info: Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 7:00 pm (KeyBank Center)
The Line: Betting Odds: Buffalo Sabres -105 / LA Kings -115 — Over/Under: 6.5
In this article we will formulate a LA Kings vs Buffalo Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, October 10th at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
LA Kings Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Kings went 44-27-11 last season and finished with 99 points, which was good for third in the Pacific Division. Los Angeles was able to win six of their last eight regular season games to lock up a playoff spot, but they lost to the Oilers in five games. LA did tie the series at one with a 5-4 win in game two, but they lost the next three games to end the season. The Kings are expected to go with Darcy Kuemper in net, while Adrian Kempe returns after scoring 28 goals and 47 assists last year.
Los Angeles went 4-2 in the preseason this year and they picked up wins against Vegas, Anaheim (twice), and Boston. The Kings did lose to Utah in their first game of the preseason and to Florida in the last game of the preseason.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 0-2-0 this season after losing both games to the Devils in Prague. Buffalo lost the first game by a score of 4-1 and the second game by a score of 3-1. In the first game, the Sabres outshot the Devils by a total of 31-23, recorded 25 hits, and went 0-4 on the power play. In the second game, Buffalo was outshot by a total of 37-18, recorded 25 hits, and went 0-2 on the power play. Tage Thompson has one goal and six shots on goal, while Jordan Greenway has one assist and six shots on goal. Both goalies were able to get one start so far this year, but Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start this game.
Buffalo went 5-1 in the preseason this year with wins over Pittsburgh (twice), Columbus, Ottawa, and Detroit. The Sabres did lose to Columbus after they started the preseason with four straight wins.
Why the Sabres will beat the Kings
- The Kings have lost four of their last five games as road favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Sabres have won three of their last four games as underdogs against the 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 night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Sabres have won the third period in each of their last four games against the Kings.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Kings’ last five season openers has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the Sabres’ last six night games against Pacific Division opponents at KeyBank Center have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last seven road games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the last seven games between the Kings and Sabres at KeyBank Center.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Alex Tuch has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last four games against Pacific Division opponents.
- Bowen Byram has recorded a point in each of his last four appearances in night games.
- John-Jason Peterka has scored at least one goal in each of his three previous appearances with the Sabres as underdogs against the Kings.
Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts
- Phillip Danault has recorded an assist in three of the Kings’ last four road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Adrian Kempe has scored at least one goal in each of the Kings’ last three road games.
- Anze Kopitar has recorded at least one point in each of the Kings’ last nine Thursday night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
LA Kings vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction
Buffalo comes into this matchup after already playing two regular season games last weekend, but they scored a total of two goals and they are still looking for their first win. The Sabres should be better this season, but it’s obviously not the start they were looking for. Los Angeles is looking to return to the playoffs once again and even though they lost a couple of key pieces, I like how their roster is built. I do question each team’s goalie situation, but I am going to side with Buffalo here, as I think it is a huge advantage to have two games under their belt. Take the Sabres here.