Vancouver Canucks vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 1/13/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vancouver Canucks vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

KeyBank Center is the location where the Buffalo Sabres (17-20-4) will take on the Vancouver Canucks (27-11-3) on Saturday.

The Vancouver Canucks had a good night with a 5-2 win over the Islanders in their previous contest . Vancouver accumulated 4 penalty minutes in this game. The Canucks had a good offensive output in the win. In addition, they had 4 power play opportunities but weren't able to make the most of them. In the game, they scored on 5 of the 34 shots they launched.

In reference to their scoring capabilities, the Vancouver Canucks have earned 160 goals (1st in hockey) this year and have given up 106. For the season, they have recorded 57 points and their points percentage sits at .695. Vancouver skates onto the rink with 134 power play opportunities and they have tallied 31 goals out of those tries, giving them a rate of 23.13%. At even strength, the Canucks have given up 79 goals while earning 129 of their own. Vancouver has tried 1,161 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 13.8%. The Canucks have had 1,232 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .914. Vancouver Canucks opponents have earned 120 power play opportunities (21st in pro hockey) and have earned 27 goals in those chances.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Thatcher Demko. During his career on the ice, Demko has compiled 107 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .560. His save percentage sits at .911 for his 11,514 minutes on the ice. Demko has had 6,149 shot attempts taken against him and has amassed 5,603 total saves. Opponents have racked up 546 goals versus Demko in his NHL career and his goals against average is 2.85. He has amassed a record of 101-75-16 and was named the starter in 191 games. Demko has been involved in 197 games over the course of his professional hockey career.

When they were on the ice last, Buffalo played the Kraken in a matchup where the Sabres ended up taking the loss by a score of 5-2. The Sabres tallied 2 goals of the 38 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 1 chance on the power play in this outing but weren't able to notch a goal.

The Sabres have accumulated 106 goals at even strength and 16 goals (29th in pro hockey) while on the power play. Buffalo has attempted 1,279 shots (8th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 9.54%, while allowing their opponents 1,219 shots. On the season, the Buffalo Sabres have earned a total of 122 goals, 38 points, in addition to a points percentage of .463. They have granted a total of 138 goals to be scored by way of 110 goals at even strength and 28 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a total of 117 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 13.68%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 77.78% on the other teams 126 power play chances, and their save percentage currently comes in at 88.7%.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen defending the goal. He is sitting with 1,792 stops out of 1,996 shots taken, which gives him a rate of .898. Luukkonen has accrued a career mark of 28-27-8 and has played in 65 contests. He has started in 61 games and has played 3,666 mins. Luukkonen's percentage of quality starts is 47.5% and he has 29 quality starts in his pro career. Opponents are averaging 3.34 goals per game and he has given up 204 goals altogether.

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

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Buffalo

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