Sabres vs. Avalanche Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Wednesday, Dec. 13

We have your Buffalo Sabres vs. Colorado Avalanche prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Buffalo Sabres hit the road to face the Colorado Avalanche.

The Buffalo Sabres (12-14-3) are set to clash with the Colorado Avalanche (17-9-2) in a midweek showdown at Ball Arena. As the Sabres aim to build on their recent win, the Avalanche look to continue their dominance at home and extend their winning streak.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Colorado Avalanche Odds Info

Moneyline: Buffalo Sabres +175 (PointsBet) / Colorado Avalanche -205 (DraftKings)

Puck Line: -1.5 – Buffalo Sabres -134 (FanDuel) / Colorado Avalanche +115 (BetMGM)

Total: 6.5 – -105 (Bet365) / -114 (FanDuel)

Game Info

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 13

Time: 09:30 PM

Location: Ball Arena – Denver, CO

TV: TNT

Buffalo Sabres Betting Trends

• This season, the Buffalo Sabres have hit 12 overs and 17 unders.
• On the road this season, the Buffalo Sabres have hit 8 overs and 7 unders.
• As the underdog this season, the Buffalo Sabres have hit 10 overs and 10 unders.

Colorado Avalanche Betting Trends

• This season, the Colorado Avalanche have hit 16 overs and 12 unders.
• At home this season, the Colorado Avalanche have hit 9 overs and 5 unders.
• As the favorite this season, the Colorado Avalanche have hit 15 overs and 11 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the last two seasons, the Buffalo Sabres and the Colorado Avalanche have faced off three times, with the Sabres emerging victorious in two of those encounters while the Avalanche claimed one win. In these matchups, the visiting team has had the upper hand, securing two wins compared to the home team’s single victory. When it comes to betting statistics, the Sabres have covered the spread twice, whereas the Avalanche have done so once. The total score of the games has tended to be lower than the over-under line set by bookmakers, with two games going under and only one going over. Delving into the specifics, the Sabres have demonstrated a strong defensive performance with a notable number of blocked shots across the games: 21 in their most recent win, and 23 in their victory on December 15, 2022. The Avalanche, on the other hand, have shown consistency in their shots on goal, with tallies of 23, 41, and 34 across the three games. Both teams have had their share of penalty minutes, with the Sabres accumulating 12, 4, and 14 minutes respectively, and the Avalanche not far behind with 16, 2, and 16 minutes in the same order.

The most recent game between the two teams took place on October 29, 2023, and saw the Buffalo Sabres dominate the Colorado Avalanche with a decisive 4-0 victory. The Sabres’ offense was firing on all cylinders, with goals from JJ Peterka, Casey Mittelstadt, Tyson Jost, and Rasmus Dahlin. Jeff Skinner provided pivotal assists on the first two goals, showcasing the depth of the Sabres’ attacking options. The Avalanche, despite being the favorites with a closing moneyline of -176, struggled to find the back of the net, with goaltender Alexandar Georgiev facing 28 shots and allowing four goals. The Sabres’ goaltender, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, had a standout performance, saving all 23 shots he faced and earning a shutout. The game also saw the Sabres outblock the Avalanche 21 to 9, further highlighting their defensive strength. Buffalo’s win was against the odds, as they were the underdogs with a closing moneyline of 143, and they also covered the spread of 1.5, with the final score spread being -4.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Colorado Avalanche Predictions

The Buffalo Sabres head into this matchup with a bit of momentum, having won their last game and showing signs of cohesiveness in recent performances. The Sabres’ offense, led by Jeff Skinner and the dynamic Rasmus Dahlin, has been producing, but they’ll need to be at their best to penetrate the Avalanche’s defense. Buffalo’s power play, ranking 26th in the league, will be tested against Colorado’s penalty kill, which has been efficient at 85.6%. The Sabres’ road record is evenly split, and they’ll be looking to tip that balance in their favor with a strong showing in Denver.

Colorado Avalanche, sitting atop their division, have been formidable at home with a 10-4-0 record at Ball Arena. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen have been the offensive stalwarts for the Avalanche, with MacKinnon on a 12-game points streak and Rantanen leading the team in goals. However, Colorado’s defense has shown some vulnerability, allowing four or more goals in three consecutive contests. This game presents an opportunity for the Avalanche to tighten up defensively while continuing to leverage their 5th-ranked NHL offense, which averages 3.5 goals per game.

This game features a compelling goaltender matchup and several key player duels, including the Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who previously shut out the Avalanche, against Colorado’s goaltending, which has been less consistent. The Avalanche will need to be wary of the Sabres’ ability to cover the puck line as underdogs, while the Sabres must contend with the Avalanche’s strong home-ice advantage. With both teams having their strengths and weaknesses, this matchup promises to be an exciting and closely contested battle on the ice.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Colorado Avalanche Pick

The choice of ‘Over’ for the Buffalo Sabres vs. Colorado Avalanche game is supported by a combination of both teams’ recent scoring trends and the historic head-to-head matchups. The Avalanche have been prolific in scoring, ranking 5th in the NHL with an average of 3.5 goals per game, and their last game saw a high-scoring affair with 11 total goals. Despite their defensive struggles, allowing four or more goals in three straight contests, their offensive firepower has been consistent. The Sabres, while not as dominant offensively, have shown they can put up numbers against the Avalanche, as evidenced by their 4-0 victory earlier in the season. Additionally, the total has gone over in four of the Avalanche’s last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents, further suggesting that we could see a high-scoring game.

While the Sabres have had a tendency to hit the under on the road, the Avalanche’s recent defensive lapses and the Sabres’ ability to score against them in their last meeting indicate that this game could break the pattern. Moreover, the Avalanche’s strong home scoring record and the Sabres’ recent uptick in offensive production suggest that both teams are capable of contributing to a total score that surpasses the over-under line of 6.5. Considering these factors, the ‘Over’ pick seems to be the right call for this matchup, as both teams are likely to engage in an offensive showcase at Ball Arena.

The Pick: Over 6.5 -114 (FanDuel)

Buffalo Sabres vs. Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Picks

Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.

Buffalo Sabres

Colorado Avalanche