Sabres vs. Penguins Prediction
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been struggling with defense and goaltending much of the season as they prepare for tonight’s home contest with the Buffalo Sabres. Will that trend continue and allow for the over to hit in the battle between Eastern Conference opponents?
Game Snapshot
3 Buffalo Sabres at 4 Pittsburgh Penguins
Monday, November 19, 2018
PPG Paints Arena at 7:05PM ET
TV: ESPN+
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Penguins are a -173 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Sabres are a 150 underdog, while the total is set at 6 goals. As of Monday morning, 62 percent of public bets are coming in on visiting Buffalo. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Sabres record fifth straight win
Buffalo has been on a roll as of late and won its fifth consecutive contest Saturday night as it rallied for a 3-2 victory at Minnesota. The Sabres (12-6-2) trailed 2-1 until they scored the tying goal with 7:02 left on a tally by rookie sensation Rasmus Dahlin. Jack Eichel and Jason Pominville assisted on the score. Pominville proceeded to score the game-winner with 1:30 remaining as Eichel assisted again along with Jake McCabe. Linus Ullmark earned the win in goal as he allowed two goals on 39 shots.
Penguins continue slumping
Pittsburgh lost for the third straight game and for the eighth time in nine contests Saturday night with a 6-4 defeat at the Senators. The Penguins (7-8-3) fell behind 5-1 through two periods and could not muster enough of a rally in the third. Kris Letang, Zach Aston-Reese, Mark Cullen and Patric Hornqvist each scored a goal in the defeat for Pittsburgh. Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin both dished out two assists. Matt Murray surrendered three goals on 10 shots before being replaced by Casey DeSmith, who gave up three additional goals on 15 shots the rest of the way.
NHL Betting Trends
Buffalo
The over is 5-0-1 in the last six Sabres games playing on one day of rest. The under is 3-0-1 in the last four Buffalo games after allowing two or less goals the previous game.
Pittsburgh
The over is 4-0-1 in the last five meetings in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are 0-6 in their last six games playing on one day of rest.
Prediction:
Whether Murray or DeSmith goes tonight, it won’t solve Pittsburgh’s problem of allowing goals in bunches. Murray has been dreadful this season and DeSmith has played OK at times, but is nothing more than a sometimes useful backup. Pittsburgh’s offense is still high-powered even with Sidney Crosby out and if he misses tonight’s game, look for guys like Malkin and Kessel to fill up the scoresheet. Take the over in this one.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: BUFFALO SABRES/PITTSBURGH PENGUINS OVER 6