Buffalo Sabres vs St. Louis Blues Picks and Predictions November 14th 2024

Buffalo Sabres vs St. Louis Blues November 14th 2024

The Blues and Sabres are set to face off at 7:30 ET on ESPN+. The Sabres will host the game at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 6 goals, and the Sabres are favored by -1.5 against the Blues.

St. Louis vs. Buffalo Key Information

The Blues improved to 7-9-0 with a 4-2 win over the Maple Leafs. As underdogs on the puck line, they covered with the victory. The total for the game was set at 6 goals, and the combined score matched that number.

After trailing 1-0 in the first period, St. Louis responded with four unanswered goals. Three different players scored for the Blues, with Colton Parayko leading the way with two goals.

Colton Parayko found the net twice in the Blues’ 4-2 win over the Maple Leafs, bringing his goal tally to 3 this season. He scored St. Louis’ first goal at 16:31 of the second period and added another at 7:27. Parayko also picked up his 5th assist on Pavel Buchnevich’s empty-netter, which was Buchnevich’s 4th goal of the season.

After a scoreless first period, the Blues netted three goals in the second, with Jordan Kyrou scoring his 3rd goal of the year. St. Louis took 24 shots on goal and recorded 14 giveaways.

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Defensively, the Blues allowed the first goal just 5:25 into the game, but they held Toronto scoreless in the second period and added an empty-netter late in the third to secure a 4-2 win. Jordan Binnington made 35 saves with a 94.6% save percentage, while the defense recorded 3 takeaways and 17 hits.

Buffalo fell to 7-8-1 after a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings. The Sabres were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 3 goals fell short of the 6.5 set before the game.

Buffalo got on the board first with a short-handed goal by Alex Tuch in the first period, but the Red Wings responded with two power-play goals in the second. The Sabres failed to score again, resulting in a loss in regulation.

Buffalo’s offense managed 32 shots on goal but only found the net once in their 2-1 loss to Detroit. Alex Tuch scored his fifth goal of the season, coming on a shorthanded opportunity 8:21 into the first period.

The Sabres had 13 giveaways and didn’t record any assists in the game. After Tuch’s goal, they were shut out for the remainder of the contest.

Buffalo’s defense gave up two goals, both of which came in the second period on power plays. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage. The Sabres’ defense also recorded 5 takeaways and 17 hits.

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Sabres to take down the Blues at home. With the moneyline currently at -160, I’m placing my bet on the Sabres straight-up.

When it comes to a puck line pick, our choice is the Sabres to secure the win and cover. Expect the Sabres to dominate this one with a multi-goal win over the Blues.

With an over/under line sitting at 6 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

Sabres Look to Bounce Back Against Slumping Blues

The Buffalo Sabres are eager to get back on track after a humbling 7-5 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. That defeat ended their three-game winning streak and exposed some defensive lapses that the team is determined to fix. They’ll have their chance to rebound on Thursday night when they host the injury-riddled St. Louis Blues in Buffalo, N.Y.

Sabres Reflect After Tough Loss

The Sabres had been riding high, winning six of their last nine games to claw their way back to a .500 record after a rough 1-4-1 start. But Monday’s loss to Montreal served as a wake-up call.

“We got humbled,” said Buffalo captain Rasmus Dahlin. “We were very excited about our previous games, but we know if you’re not showing up 100 percent, it’s hard to win in this league. We’ve got to look ourselves in the mirror and dig in. We can’t play like that if we want to win.”

Adding to Buffalo’s woes, three key players exited the game with injuries. Star center Tage Thompson, who leads the team in goals (11) and points (18), suffered a lower-body injury. Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen also left the game with ailments.

While Thompson and Luukkonen are listed as day-to-day with a chance to return on Thursday, Samuelsson is expected to be sidelined indefinitely.

Dahlin emphasized the importance of Thompson’s presence: “He’s a huge piece of our team, and we need him out there.”

Blues Struggling with Injuries and Late-Game Collapses

The St. Louis Blues find themselves in a tough spot, having lost six of their last eight games. Their latest defeat was a heartbreaker, as they blew a 2-0 lead against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, allowing three goals in the final 15 minutes to lose 3-2.

Blues coach Drew Bannister is trying to keep his team’s spirits high despite their struggles: “You go through this as a team, and you got to stick together. The belief is strong in the room, but it’s not going to come easy. We’re going to have to fight through it together.”

St. Louis has been struggling to close out games, getting outscored 10-1 across their last three outings and being heavily outshot 30-18 in the third period alone. Captain Brayden Schenn reflected on their issues: “You can’t play safe in this league. There’s too many good players that sense that and can make plays.”

The Blues are also battling injuries to key players, including No. 1 center Robert Thomas (broken ankle) and defensemen Philip Broberg and Nick Leddy. While they got winger Mathieu Joseph back from injury, their lineup remains a patchwork of healthy bodies and shuffled lines.

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Key Matchups to Watch

1. Buffalo’s Offense vs. St. Louis’ Defense: The Sabres’ explosive offense, led by Thompson (if he’s able to play), will test a Blues defense that has been shaky, particularly late in games. The Blues have struggled to protect leads, and Buffalo’s aggressive style could exploit those weaknesses.
2. Power Play Opportunities: Neither team has excelled with the man advantage this season. The Blues rank 27th in power-play conversion at 15.0%, while Buffalo’s power play has been inconsistent. However, St. Louis showed some improvement by netting two power-play goals against Boston. Special teams could be the deciding factor in what may be a tightly contested game.
3. Goaltending Battle: If Luukkonen is healthy enough to play, he will be key for the Sabres after their defense was exposed against Montreal. Meanwhile, the Blues need their goaltending tandem to step up as they try to halt their slide.

Can the Sabres Rebound at Home?

The Sabres are looking to get back in the win column after a humbling defeat, while the Blues are desperate to find some consistency and close out games more effectively. With both teams dealing with injuries, the matchup could come down to which side can adapt better and execute in crucial moments.

Will Buffalo’s young core respond to Dahlin’s challenge and tighten up their play, or can St. Louis overcome their recent struggles to steal a win on the road? Thursday’s game promises to be a battle between two teams trying to find their footing as they navigate a challenging start to the season.