Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks Picks and Predictions December 27th 2024

Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks December 27th 2024

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Blackhawks versus the Sabres? The puck drops at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN2. The game will be played at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 5.5 goals, and the Sabres are favored by -1.5 vs. the Blackhawks.

Chicago vs. Buffalo Key Information

• Teams: Blackhawks at Sabres
• Where: KeyBank Center Buffalo
• Date: Friday, December 27th
• Betting Odds BUF -177 | CHI +145 O/U 5.5

The Blackhawks Can Win If…

Chicago improved to 12-21-2 with a 4-2 road win over the Ducks. The Blackhawks covered the puck line as underdogs, and the total of 6 goals fell just short of the 6.5 line.

Four different players scored for the Blackhawks, who built a 3-0 lead before Anaheim got on the board. Chicago’s defense held the Ducks scoreless until the 10:16 mark of the third period.

Chicago’s offense netted four goals on 29 shots in their 4-2 victory over Anaheim. The Blackhawks had 12 giveaways but were able to capitalize twice on the power play, with Seth Jones scoring his second goal of the season and Teuvo Teravainen adding his fourth.

Ryan Donato scored his seventh goal of the season, while Isaak Phillips opened the scoring with his first. Connor Bedard picked up two assists, bringing his total to nine for the season.

Arvid Söderblom made 38 saves with a 95% save percentage, helping the Blackhawks secure a 4-2 win over the Ducks. Chicago’s defense also contributed 6 takeaways and 5 hits. Both goals allowed came in the 3rd period, including one with just 4 seconds left.

• Chicago has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). They have held up well vs the puck line in these matchups, going 2-1 as well as an over-under record of 2-1.
• Across Chicago’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 4-6. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 6-4, in addition to an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Sabres Can Win If…

Buffalo’s 2-1 loss to the Red Wings dropped them to 12-19-4 this season. The Sabres took the lead in the first period with a short-handed goal from Alex Tuch, but the Red Wings responded with two power-play goals in the second period.

The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for just 3. Buffalo, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover. They were shut out after Tuch’s goal, which came at 11:39 in the first period.

Buffalo’s offense was limited to just one goal in their 2-1 loss to Detroit. Alex Tuch netted his 5th goal of the season, scoring shorthanded at 8:21 in the first period. The Sabres fired 32 shots on goal but were unable to find the net again.

Buffalo had 13 giveaways and didn’t record any assists in the game. Tuch took 5 shots on goal, and the team failed to capitalize on their power play opportunities.

Buffalo’s defense will look to bounce back after allowing two goals in the previous game, both of which came in the second period on Detroit power plays. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves, finishing with a 91.3% save percentage. The Sabres’ defense also recorded 5 takeaways and 17 hits.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Sabres have gone 1-2 straight up. Against the spread, Buffalo went 1-2 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Across Buffalo’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 1-9. In these contests, the team went just 3-7 against the spread, while going 6-3-1 on the over-under.

The Lean

When it comes to a straight moneyline bet, look no further than the Sabres. Nevertheless, given the payout of -177, you could also think about incorporating this bet into a parlay.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Blackhawks to cover. Even if the Sabres manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Blackhawks should cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 5.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Sabres Look to Build Momentum Against Blackhawks

After snapping a grueling 13-game winless streak, the Buffalo Sabres aim to keep their positive momentum alive as they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. Both teams are eager for consistency in a battle of two struggling franchises at the bottom of the NHL standings.

Buffalo Sabres: Renewed Energy After Breakthrough Win

The Sabres (9-18-10) ended their nightmare 0-10-3 stretch with a resounding 7-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Monday. Fueled by frustration and a desire to reverse their fortunes, Buffalo dominated every aspect of the game.

Forward Tage Thompson, the team’s leading scorer with 26 points (17 goals, nine assists), emphasized the team’s need for mental and physical rejuvenation heading into the post-Christmas portion of the season.

Key Players

• Tage Thompson: Continues to anchor Buffalo’s offense with his dynamic play.
• JJ Peterka: Riding a five-game points streak (two goals, five assists), providing crucial secondary scoring.
• Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Snapped a personal nine-game winless streak with a stellar 27-save performance against the Islanders. Likely to start in net on Friday.

Despite their recent struggles, the Sabres have shown flashes of promise, particularly on the power play, scoring in consecutive games after a prolonged slump.

Chicago Blackhawks: Defensive Grit Amid Offensive Challenges

The Blackhawks (9-21-4) enter Friday’s matchup on a two-game losing streak, with their most recent setback being a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild. Defensive lapses, particularly in the third period, have been a recurring issue for Chicago, which leads the NHL in goals allowed during final frames this season.

While their offense has been inconsistent, Chicago’s penalty kill has been a bright spot, boasting the fourth-best rate in the league (85.3 percent). The unit has been particularly stingy over the past 13 games, allowing just one power-play goal on 37 attempts.

Key Players

• Connor Bedard: Heating up after a slow start to his sophomore season, with four goals and seven assists in his last nine games.
• Petr Mrazek: Expected to start in goal after easing back from a groin injury. His veteran presence will be crucial in helping stabilize Chicago’s defense.
• Taylor Raddysh: Providing a spark in the top six with timely goals and physical play.

Key Matchups and Trends

Buffalo’s Power Play vs. Chicago’s Penalty Kill
Buffalo’s struggling power play (14.7 percent) has shown recent improvement but will be tested against Chicago’s elite penalty kill, which has stifled opponents for weeks.Tage Thompson vs. Connor Bedard
Both forwards are the offensive engines for their respective teams. Thompson’s size and shot-making ability contrast with Bedard’s speed and playmaking vision, setting up an intriguing duel.Goaltending Showdown
Luukkonen’s confidence boost from Monday’s win could make a difference for Buffalo, while Mrazek looks to find his form after returning from injury.

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Recent History and Prediction

Buffalo has dominated the recent head-to-head matchup, boasting a 6-0-1 record against Chicago since the start of the 2021-22 season. The Sabres’ 4-2 victory in Chicago earlier this season set the tone for continued success in the series.

Given Buffalo’s renewed energy and Chicago’s defensive struggles late in games, the Sabres appear poised to extend their points streak against the Blackhawks.

Prediction: Sabres 5, Blackhawks 3