Buffalo Sabres (24-29-6) vs San Jose Sharks (16-37-9)
Game Info: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 7:00 pm (KeyBank Center)
The Line: Betting Odds: Buffalo Sabres -245 / San Jose Sharks +200 — Over/Under: 6.5
In this article, we will formulate a Sharks vs Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, March 4th at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
San Jose Sharks Betting Preview
The San Jose Sharks are 16-37-9 this year after they defeated Toronto in a shootout by a score of 3-2 in their last game. San Jose trailed 2-0 in the third period, but they were able to tie the game and get the win in the shootout. The Sharks were outshot by a total of 27-22, won 30.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. San Jose got goals from Toffoli and Thompson, while Georgiev stopped 25 out of 27 shots in the game.
Prior to that rare win, the Sharks lost to the Senators by a score of 5-3 and the Canadiens by a score of 4-3. San Jose has lost eight of their last nine games and they are currently last in the Pacific standings with 41 points. San Jose has scored 2.57 goals per game and they have allowed 3.71 goals against per game, while also going 19.2% on the power play and 76.2% on the penalty kill this season. Macklin Celebrini has led San Jose with 18 goals, 26 assists, and 168 shots on goal, while William Eklund has added 12 goals, 32 assists, and 101 shots on goal this year. Vitek Vanecek is 3-10-3 with a 3.89 goals against average and an .882 save percentage this season. The Sharks will meet the Avalanche after this game.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 24-29-6 this season after they lost to Montreal in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Buffalo trailed 3-0 after the first period, but they came back to tie the game late in the third, before losing in overtime. The Sabres outshot Montreal by a total of 36-20, won 40.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Thompson, Tuch, and Dahlin, while Reimer stopped 16 out of 20 shots in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Sabres lost another game to the Canadiens by a score of 4-2 and the Hurricanes by a score of 5-2. Buffalo has lost three games in a row and they are currently last in the Atlantic standings with 54 points. Buffalo has scored 3.17 goals per game and they have allowed 3.40 goals against per game, while also going 16.8% on the power play and 77.1% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 29 goals, 23 assists, and 167 shots on goal, while Rasmus Dahlin has added 10 goals, 38 assists, and 133 shots on goal. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 20-17-4 with a 3.01 goals against average and an .894 save percentage this year.
Why the Sabres will beat the Sharks
- The Sharks have lost each of their last seven road games after coming off overtime.
- The home team has won 11 of the Sabres’ last 12 games.
- The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the last five games between the Sharks and Sabres.
- The Sharks have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games as underdogs following an overtime win.
- The Sharks have lost the third period in nine of their last 10 road games when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sharks’ last five road games following an overtime win has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the Sabres’ last five games after coming off overtime have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Sharks’ last eight games after coming off overtime.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in five of the Sabres’ last six games as favorites against the Sharks.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Alex Tuch has scored a goal in each of the Sabres’ last five games as favorites against the Sharks.
- Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last five games against the Sharks at KeyBank Center.
- Alex Tuch has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven appearances against the Sharks.
- Ryan McLeod ranks 2nd amongst qualified Eastern Conference players for shooting percentage (23.7%) this season.
San Jose Sharks Player Prop Facts
- Tyler Toffoli has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances with the Sharks as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- William Eklund has recorded a point in seven of the Sharks’ last eight games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- Alexander Wennberg has recorded at least one assist in four of the Sharks’ last five road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Macklin Celebrini ranks 2nd amongst rookies for average time on ice (19:46) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 1st in the league for Period 1 goals scored per game this season (1.15).
- The Buffalo Sabres are one of only two teams to lose 10+ games when tied after Period 2 this season.
- The San Jose Sharks rank 25th in the league in power play percentage this season (18.97%).
- The San Jose Sharks rank 32nd in the league for shots against per game this season (32.1).
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Sharks vs Sabres Prediction
San Jose was able to pick up a very rare win against Toronto in their last game, but they continue to be on the road here. The Sharks are 7-19-7 on the road this year, while the Sabres are 15-13-3 at home. Buffalo nearly completed an amazing comeback on Monday night, but they fell short in overtime. The Sabres have been a pretty decent offensive team this year, but their defense has really let them down. Both of these teams will be on a back-to-back here, but I have to fade Vanecek in the net for the Sharks. Take Buffalo -1.5 in this game.