Utah Hockey Club vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction NHL Picks 12/7/24

In this article, we will formulate a Utah Hockey Club vs Buffalo Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, December 7th at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Utah Hockey Club Betting Preview

The Utah Hockey Club are 10-11-4 this year after they lost to Dallas by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Utah trailed 2-0 in the third period and came up just short in their comeback attempt. The Hockey Club outshot Dallas by a total of 37-21, won 57.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Utah got their lone goal from Schmaltz, while Vejmelka stopped 19 out of 21 shots in the game.

Prior to that loss, the Hockey Club defeated Vegas by a score of 6-0 but did lose to Edmonton by a score of 4-3 before that. Utah has scored 2.80 goals per game and they have allowed 3.00 goals against per game, while also averaging 16.9% on the power play and 76.6% on the penalty kill this season. Clayton Keller has led Utah with seven goals, 15 assists, and 59 shots on goal, while Karel Vejmelka is 3-7-1 with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. 

Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are 11-12-3 this season after they lost to Winnipeg by a score of 3-2 in overtime in their last game. Buffalo allowed Winnipeg to tie the game in the second period and they ended up losing in overtime. The Sabres were outshot by a total of 31-30, won 44.8% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Cozens and Thompson, while UPL stopped 28 out of 31 shots in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Sabres lost four games against the Avalanche, Islanders, Canucks, and Wild. Buffalo has scored 2.96 goals per game and they have allowed 3.12 goals against per game, while also going 15.4% on the power play and 80.2% on the penalty kill this season. Alex Tuch has led Buffalo with eight goals, 16 assists, and 64 shots on goal, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 8-6-3 with a 2.70 goals against average and a .906 save percentage this year. 

Why the Sabres will beat the Hockey Club

• The favorites have won each of the Sabres’ last five games at KeyBank Center.
• Utah has lost three of its last four games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last four games at KeyBank Center.
• The Sabres have won the first period in four of their last five games at KeyBank Center.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of Utah’s last five games against Atlantic Division opponents has gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Five of the Sabres’ last six home games after coming off overtime have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last five games as home favorites.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in five of Utah’s six previous games against opponents on a losing streak.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

• Tage Thompson has scored at least one goal in five of the Sabres’ last six day games at KeyBank Center.
• Tage Thompson has recorded at least one point in nine of his last 10 appearances with the Sabres as favorites.
• Alex Tuch has recorded an assist in five of the Sabres’ last six games against Central Division opponents.

Utah Hockey Club Player Prop Facts

• Logan Cooley has recorded at least one point in each of Utah’s last four road games.
• Dylan Guenther has recorded an assist in each of Utah’s last four road games.
• Clayton Keller has scored at least one goal in 11 of his last 12 Saturday day appearances.

Utah Hockey Club vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction 

Buffalo comes into this matchup trying to snap their five-game losing streak, but they have allowed 15 goals in their last four games. The Sabres are 6-7-2 at home this year, while the Hockey Club is 10-11-4 on the road. Utah has alternated wins and losses over their last seven games, but they have been playing pretty well and they are 2-1-1 in their last four. I know Utah is playing decently well, but Buffalo has competed with Winnipeg and Colorado in their last two games. Take the Sabres here.