Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Thursday, Feb. 15

Nov 28, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) skates during the warmup against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
Image Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

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

The Florida Panthers (34-15-4) are set to clash with the Buffalo Sabres (23-25-4) in an Eastern Conference showdown at KeyBank Center. With the Panthers on a three-game winning streak and the Sabres looking to build on their recent victory, this matchup promises to be a battle of momentum.

Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds Info

Moneyline: Florida Panthers -152 (FanDuel) / Buffalo Sabres +130 (DraftKings)

Puck Line: +1.5 – Florida Panthers +160 (DraftKings) / Buffalo Sabres -192 (DraftKings)

Total: 6.5 – -120 (BetRivers) / +102 (DraftKings)

Game Info

Date: Thursday, Feb. 15

Time: 07:00 PM

Location: KeyBank Center – Buffalo, NY

TV: ESPN+

Florida Panthers Betting Trends

  • On the road this season, the Florida Panthers have 18 wins and 9 losses.
  • As the favorite this season, the Florida Panthers have 30 wins and 13 losses.
  • This season, the Florida Panthers have hit 19 overs and 34 unders.

Buffalo Sabres Betting Trends

  • At home this season, the Buffalo Sabres have 12 wins and 15 losses.
  • As the underdog this season, the Buffalo Sabres have 11 wins and 21 losses.
  • This season, the Buffalo Sabres have hit 22 overs and 30 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the course of the last two seasons, the Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres have faced off four times, with the Panthers emerging victorious in three of those encounters while the Sabres claimed one win. These matchups occurred between October 15, 2022, and April 4, 2023. The visiting team has had the upper hand, securing three wins compared to just one for the home side. When it comes to betting statistics, the Sabres have outperformed expectations by beating the spread in three out of the four games, despite being the underdogs in most matchups. The Panthers, on the other hand, have only beaten the spread once. In terms of the over-under betting line, none of the games resulted in an over, with three games going under the projected total points. Other notable statistics from these games include a consistent closing over-under mark of 7 or 7.5, with the total score never exceeding this threshold. The games were generally close in terms of final score spreads, with the largest being a 3-point difference.

The most recent game between the two teams took place on April 4, 2023, with the Florida Panthers narrowly defeating the Buffalo Sabres with a final score of 2-1. The Panthers, playing at home, were the favorites with a closing moneyline of -192 and a spread of -1.5, but it was the Sabres who covered the spread with the final score difference being just one goal. The game was characterized by a strong defensive effort from both teams, as evidenced by the high number of blocked shots—10 by the Sabres and 16 by the Panthers. Hits were also plentiful, with the Sabres recording 20 and the Panthers 28. Goaltending played a crucial role, with the Panthers’ goalie Alex Lyon saving 39 out of 40 shots for a save percentage of 0.975, while the Sabres’ Devon Levi saved 34 out of 36 shots, resulting in a 0.944 save percentage. Despite the Sabres taking more shots on goal, with 40 compared to the Panthers’ 36, they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, leading to their narrow defeat.

Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres Predictions

The Florida Panthers are riding high on a wave of success, having won seven of their last ten games. They are currently second in the Atlantic Division, just two points behind the Boston Bruins for first place in both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference. The Panthers boast a potent offense led by center Sam Reinhart, who has netted 39 goals this season, and left winger Matthew Tkachuk, who has contributed a team-high 41 assists. Their recent form suggests they will be a formidable opponent for the Sabres.

On the other side, the Buffalo Sabres have had a season of ups and downs, reflected in their 14th place standing in the Eastern Conference. However, they are coming off an impressive 7-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, signaling a potential turnaround. The Sabres will rely on the offensive talents of players like JJ Peterka and Casey Mittelstadt, who lead the team in goals and assists, respectively. Defensively, both teams have shown they can be resilient, but it will be the goaltending matchup that could decide the outcome of this game.

This game is not just about the star players; it’s also a test of depth and coaching strategy. The Panthers have demonstrated their ability to win on the road, while the Sabres have shown flashes of brilliance at home. As both teams vie for a victory, key player matchups, such as the battle between the Panthers’ top scorers and the Sabres’ goaltender, will be critical. With playoff implications on the line, expect both teams to come out with intensity in what should be an exciting contest.

Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres Pick

The Buffalo Sabres, despite their overall season struggles, have shown a recent surge in performance, particularly with their dominant 7-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings. This momentum, coupled with their strong record against the spread in recent matchups against the Panthers, suggests they have the potential to upset the odds. Furthermore, the Sabres have been successful in covering the spread as underdogs in three out of their last four games against the Panthers, indicating their ability to perform beyond expectations when facing this particular opponent.

While the Florida Panthers have been impressive on the road and are in a strong position within their division, the Sabres’ recent form and the historical head-to-head data suggest that they could continue their upward trend. Additionally, the Sabres’ goaltending has been solid, with Devon Levi showcasing a high save percentage in their last encounter with the Panthers. Considering the favorable moneyline odds for the Sabres and their capacity to capitalize on their home-ice advantage, a bet on the Buffalo Sabres moneyline is a compelling choice for this matchup.

The Pick: Buffalo Sabres +130. (DraftKings)

Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Picks

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

Florida Panthers

Player Name Prop Line Over Rate Over Odds Under Odds Last 10 Average Projection
Anton Lundell Shots On Goal 1.5 10/10 -145 +114 2.7 2.40
Matthew Tkachuk Assists 0.5 8/10 -120 -110 1.1 1.15
Matthew Tkachuk Points 0.5 8/10 -230 +175 1.7 1.78
Evan Rodrigues Shots On Goal 1.5 7/10 -195 +150 2.2 2.26
Carter Verhaeghe Points 0.5 7/10 -175 +135 1.0 1.06
Sam Reinhart Points 0.5 8/10 -215 +165 0.9 0.94
Brandon Montour Shots On Goal 2.5 7/10 -120 -110 3.1 3.22