Chicago Blackhawks vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 12/27/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Friday, December 27, 2024

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Blackhawks (+150) Sabres (-182)

The Chicago Blackhawks (12-20-2) are headed to KeyBank Center on Friday where they will play the Buffalo Sabres (11-19-4). The moneyline on this matchup has Chicago at +150 while Buffalo is at -182. The total is set at 6.5.

The Chicago Blackhawks will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 6-4 defeat against the Flames in the last game they played. The Blackhawks had a solid offensive output and it showed in the loss. In the game, they finished 4 out of the 28 shots they tried. Moreover, they had 3 power play opportunities and netted 1 goal. Chicago had 36 penalty minutes in this contest.

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While at even strength, the Blackhawks have conceded 93 goals while scoring 67 on the offensive side of the ice. Chicago Blackhawks opponents have totaled 101 power play opportunities (17th in pro hockey) and have come away with 15 goals in those attempts. With regard to their scoring, the Chicago Blackhawks have accumulated 87 goals (29th in the NHL) so far this year and have given up 108. Chicago has tried 867 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.0%. For the current campaign, the have a total of 26 points and their points percentage sits at .382. The Blackhawks thus far have had 1,008 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .893. Chicago comes into tonight with 89 power play chances and they have scored 20 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 22.47%.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Petr Mrazek. The opposition has racked up 1,077 goals versus Mrazek in his pro career and his goals against average per game is 2.96. Mrazek has participated in 411 games during his hockey career. His save percentage is .907 during his 21,856 mins played. He has earned an overall record of 175-167-39 and he has started in 380 games. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Mrazek has accrued 196 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .516. Mrazek has had 11,575 shots against him and has accrued 10,498 saves.

In their last game, Buffalo went up against the Bruins in a matchup where the Sabres ended up losing by a final score of 3-1. The Sabres scored 1 goal out of the 20 shots on goal they tried. They had 3 power play attempts in this one and recorded 1 out of those chances.

The Sabres have accumulated 82 goals at even strength and 14 goals (30th in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. Buffalo has put up 935 shots (24th in the league) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 10.27%, while allowing the opposition 988 shots. For the season, the Buffalo Sabres have earned 96 goals, 26 points, as well as a points percentage of .382. They have granted a total of 118 goals to be scored by of a combination of 92 goals at even strength and 26 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 99 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 14.14%. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 76.79% on their oppositions 112 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 88.1%.

For the opposition you are likely to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in net. He has a tally of 3,229 stops out of 3,581 shots taken, which gives him a save percentage of .902. Luukkonen has amassed a career mark of 55-52-13 and has been in goal for 123 contests. He has started in 119 games and has been on the ice for 5,765 minutes. Luukkonen's quality start rate is 55.5% and he has qualified for 66 quality starting assignments in his professional career. Teams are averaging 3.66 goals per contest and he has yielded 352 goals overall.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago (+150)

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