Dallas Stars vs Buffalo Sabres December 31st 2024

The Sabres and Stars are set to face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Stars will host the game at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 6 goals, and the Stars are favored by -1.5 against the Sabres.

Buffalo vs. Dallas Key Information

• Teams: Sabres at Stars
• Where: American Airlines Center Dallas
• Date: Tuesday, December 31st
• Betting Odds DAL -218 | BUF +181 O/U 6

The Sabres Can Win If…

Buffalo fell to 14-19-4 after a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings. The Sabres led 1-0 after Alex Tuch scored at 8:21 in the first period, but Detroit responded with two goals in the second to secure the win.

The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for just 3. Buffalo, as underdogs on the puck line, failed to cover. The Sabres’ lone goal came short-handed, with Tuch scoring unassisted.

Alex Tuch netted his fifth goal of the season, scoring on a shorthanded opportunity 8:21 into the first period. Tuch took five shots on goal, with his lone goal coming unassisted.

Despite firing 32 shots on goal, the Sabres were held to just one goal in their 2-1 loss to the Red Wings. They had 13 giveaways and were unable to convert on any power play chances.

Buffalo’s defense had a strong first and third period, but they gave up two goals in the second, leading to a 2-1 loss to Detroit. Both goals were power-play goals from Dylan Larkin. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage. The Sabres’ defense also recorded 5 takeaways and 17 hits.

• Over their last three games, the Sabres have gone 3-0 straight up. In addition, their puck line record over this stretch is 3-0 while posting a 3-0 over-under mark.
• Across Buffalo’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 3-7. Across these games, their puck line record was just 4-6, while posting an over-under record of 7-2-1.

The Stars Can Win If…

Dallas dropped to 21-13-1 after a 4-2 loss to the Panthers. The Stars were underdogs on the puck line and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 6 fell short of that mark.

After falling behind 2-0, Dallas tied it up with two goals in the second period. However, the Panthers pulled ahead in the third, adding an empty-netter to seal the game.

Dallas took 25 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 4-2 loss to the Panthers. Evgenii Dadonov scored his second goal of the season, while Matt Duchene added his seventh. The Stars were held scoreless in the first period before Dadonov got them on the board with a power-play goal in the second.

Duchene followed with a goal at the 11:22 mark of the second period and also picked up his eighth assist on Dadonov’s goal. Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley contributed assists, bringing their season totals to four and five, respectively. Dallas finished the game with 32 giveaways.

Dallas’ defense gave up the first two goals of the game, and after the Stars tied it at 2-2, they allowed two more, including the game-winner at 2:32 into the 3rd period. Casey DeSmith made 21 saves with an 87.5% save percentage, and the defense recorded 5 takeaways and 26 hits.

• Spanning across their last three games, Dallas have gone 2-1. This includes going 1-2 vs. the puck line and posting an over-under mark of 0-2-1.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Dallas has a record of 5-5. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 3-7 and an over-under mark of 2-7-1.

The Lean

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Sabres to secure a victory over the Stars on the road. With the moneyline currently set at +181, I’m locking in my bet on the Sabres straight-up.

Our projections have the Sabres pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Sabres, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

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When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Sabres on a Hot Streak While Stars Look to Find Their Groove

The Buffalo Sabres and Dallas Stars face off Tuesday night in Dallas, and both teams have something to prove. Buffalo is riding high on a three-game winning streak after a brutal slump, while Dallas is looking to build momentum and find consistency as they close out 2024.

Buffalo’s Back on Track

Buffalo (15-18-3) is finally clicking after a rough 13-game winless streak (0-10-3). They’ve won three in a row, outscoring opponents 17-5, and their 4-2 win over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday showed they can win even when they’re not at their best.

Head coach Lindy Ruff couldn’t be happier with how his team’s special teams have stepped up:

Jason Zucker played the hero on Sunday with a clutch power-play goal in the third period. Buffalo’s power play has come alive recently, going 4-for-10 over the past four games—something that was missing earlier in the season.

Jack Quinn’s Breakout

Forward Jack Quinn has been a game-changer for Buffalo lately. After a slow start to the season, he’s on fire, with six points (two goals, four assists) in his last three games. Ruff’s advice to bring more “pop” to his game has clearly paid off:

Quinn’s newfound confidence has added an extra spark to Buffalo’s offense, and he’ll be a player to watch against Dallas.

Dallas Needs Consistency

The Stars (21-13-1) are in a different spot. They’ve shown flashes of brilliance but have struggled with consistency, going 5-5-1 in their last 11 games. Their 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday could be the reset they need, but the question is whether they can keep it going.

One major issue has been their power play, which has been stuck in a slump. Before Sunday’s game, the Stars were 0-for-20 with the man advantage, but Jason Robertson’s power-play goal finally broke the drought.

What to Watch For

Buffalo

• Special Teams Spark: Can the Sabres’ power play stay hot and give them an edge against Dallas?
• Quinn’s Hot Streak: Jack Quinn is brimming with confidence—will he extend his three-game point streak?

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Dallas

• Power Play Progress: The Stars finally broke through on Sunday. Can they build on that success?
• Robertson’s Leadership: Robertson is heating up—look for him to be a difference-maker again.

Why This Game Matters

For Buffalo, this is a chance to keep their win streak alive and prove they’ve turned a corner. For Dallas, it’s about finding consistency and setting the tone for a strong second half of the season.

Both teams are leaning on key players and improved special teams, making this matchup a must-watch to close out the year.

Don’t miss it—Buffalo and Dallas are ready to bring the energy in this New Year’s Eve showdown!