Anaheim Ducks vs Buffalo Sabres Picks and Predictions November 22nd 2024

Anaheim Ducks vs Buffalo Sabres November 22nd 2024

Looking to win big? The Sabres and Ducks face off at 10:00 ET on ESPN+. The Ducks are hosting the game at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. The Sabres are the -1.5 goal favorites in this non-conference matchup against Ducks. The over/under for the game is set at 6 goals.

Buffalo vs. Anaheim Key Information

Buffalo dropped to 9-9-1 after a 2-1 road loss to the Red Wings. The Sabres held a 1-0 lead after the first period but gave up two unanswered goals in the second. Buffalo, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell short.

Alex Tuch scored Buffalo’s only goal, a short-handed effort at 11:39 in the first period. The Red Wings responded with two power-play goals in the second period to secure the win.

Buffalo’s offense fired 32 shots on goal but managed just one score in a 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 had 13 giveaways and were held without a power-play goal.

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After Tuch’s early goal, the Sabres were shut out for the rest of the game. Tuch took 5 shots on goal, and Buffalo ended the game without any assists.

Buffalo’s defense looked solid in the first and third periods, but they struggled in the second, allowing two power-play goals. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, while the Sabres’ defense added 5 takeaways and 17 hits.

With a 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks, the Ducks dropped to 8-8-2 this season. Anaheim was favored on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined 6 goals fell short of that mark.

After falling behind 3-0, the Ducks got on the board in the third period. Brock McGinn scored at 9:44, and Mason McTavish added another goal with just 4 seconds left in the game.

Anaheim fired 39 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 4-2 loss to Chicago. Brock McGinn scored his second goal of the season, while Mason McTavish added his second as well, with just 4 seconds left in the game on a power play.

The Ducks were held scoreless until McGinn’s goal at 9:44 in the third period. They recorded 16 giveaways in the game.

The Ducks’ defense struggled early, giving up two goals in the first period and another late in the second. Despite closing the gap to 3-1 in the third, they allowed a crucial goal at 17:43. Lukas Dostal made 25 saves with an 86.2% save percentage.

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Sabres to pick up on a win over the Ducks and the road. With the moneyline sitting at -148, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Sabres straight-up.

When it comes to my suggested pick for the puck line, I’d advise taking the Ducks to cover. Even in the event of a Sabres victory, this matchup is likely to remain closely contested, and the Ducks should cover the puck line.

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.

Improving Sabres Try to Pull Record Above .500 vs. Ducks

The Buffalo Sabres aim to rise above the .500 mark for the first time this season when they visit the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. Despite multiple opportunities, Buffalo is 0-3-0 in such attempts this year.

The Sabres reached .500 again on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings. The contest was scoreless through two periods before Jason Zucker netted a power-play goal 38 seconds into the third. The win improved Buffalo to 5-2-0 in its past seven games following a three-game skid.

“That’s part of the growth,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “You’ve got to get comfortable in a game like that where it’s tight. … I thought our compete on the puck was where it needed to be to win a hockey game, and their compete was high, too. It was a hard game from start to finish for both teams.”

Sabres’ Defense and Goaltending Shine

Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen returned to action Wednesday after missing two games with a lower-body injury and earned his sixth career NHL shutout. The 25-year-old netminder has been stellar, going 4-0-0 in five starts since Nov. 5 while allowing just four goals in those wins.

“His size, but then his ability to get post to post, flexibility, and make those big saves … That really energizes a group,” forward Beck Malenstyn said. “I think he makes a lot of those timely saves for us, and we have all the trust in the world in him back there.”

Buffalo’s power play, once a glaring weakness, has become a strength. After starting the season 0-for-22 with the man advantage, the Sabres have gone 11-for-37 (29.7 percent) since Oct. 26, ranking third in the NHL during that span.

Ducks Riding Momentum

Anaheim is on a three-game winning streak and has won four of its last five contests after enduring a four-game losing streak. The Ducks followed a 6-4 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Nov. 15 with a 4-2 win against the Dallas Stars on Nov. 18 and a 3-2 triumph over the Chicago Blackhawks the following night.

“Our team’s kind of starting to jell, we’re starting to get some chemistry within the lines,” forward Alex Killorn said. “We’re not scoring a ton of goals, but we’re not allowing a ton to go in. Our defensive play’s been great.”

The Ducks have allowed an average of just 2.6 goals over their past five games, with goaltenders Lukas Dostal and John Gibson splitting starts during that stretch.

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Young Stars Leading Anaheim

Second-year forward Leo Carlsson, 19, shares the team lead in goals with Troy Terry (six each) and is second in points with 10. Carlsson’s maturity and confidence continue to impress, contributing to the Ducks’ encouraging performances.

“I think we’re on a path where we can take another step forward soon, hopefully,” Carlsson said. “Many of us are still only 19, 20, or 21 years old, and it’s not easy to make that leap. But there’s a good feeling in the team, and we’re confident.”

The matchup presents a clash between Buffalo’s emerging power play and Anaheim’s improving defensive play, with both teams eager to sustain their momentum.