St. Louis Blues vs Buffalo Sabres Picks and Predictions December 29th 2024

Sabres Seek Third Straight Win Against Blues

The Buffalo Sabres will look to continue their recent momentum and capture a third straight victory as they visit the St. Louis Blues on Sunday afternoon. Both teams enter the game on modest winning streaks, aiming to sustain positive play after difficult stretches.

Sabres’ Revival

Buffalo endured a 13-game winless streak (0-10-3) before turning the tide with back-to-back dominant victories against the New York Islanders (7-1) and Chicago Blackhawks (6-2). Forward Alex Tuch led the charge with a hat trick against Chicago, showcasing his leadership in snapping the team’s prolonged slump.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff credited the team’s renewed focus after the holiday break.

“We talked about the focus coming out of the Christmas break,” Ruff said. “They proved they were ready to come out and play.”

The resurgence of Jack Quinn has been a major catalyst for Buffalo. After scoring just one goal in his first 24 games, Quinn has netted four in his last five contests. His chemistry with linemates Dylan Cozens and J.J. Peterka has added a much-needed spark to Buffalo’s offense.

“It’s great to get the scoring from where we’re getting it,” Ruff added.

Blues Find Scoring Touch

The St. Louis Blues also aim to build on back-to-back victories after enduring a 1-3-2 skid. They erupted for seven goals in a 7-4 win over the Nashville Predators on Friday, their highest-scoring output since early December.

Robert Thomas broke the team’s power-play drought, scoring their first goal with the man advantage since Dec. 10. Blues coach Jim Montgomery adjusted the power-play unit, placing Thomas near the net rather than on the flank, a move that paid immediate dividends.

“It’s been frustrating, but we needed to change something,” Thomas said.

Montgomery praised his team’s ability to maintain energy and focus following the holiday break.

“I thought our habits and details got better, and we started hanging onto pucks more,” Montgomery said.

Key Players to Watch

• Buffalo Sabres:
  • Alex Tuch (15 goals, 33 points) continues to lead the offense, highlighted by his hat trick against Chicago.
  • Jack Quinn, thriving in recent games, has become a key contributor on the Sabres’ second line.
• St. Louis Blues:
  • Robert Thomas (11 goals, 27 assists) remains the team’s top playmaker and recently revitalized the power play.
  • Cam Fowler, anchoring the defense, will play a critical role in containing Buffalo’s surging offense.

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Game Outlook

Both teams are looking to extend their winning streaks and establish consistency. The Sabres hope to carry their newfound offensive firepower into hostile territory, while the Blues aim to build on their improved scoring and power-play adjustments.

Prediction: The Sabres’ momentum gives them an edge, but the Blues’ home-ice advantage and renewed scoring make this a tightly contested matchup.

Final Score: Sabres 4, Blues 3 (OT)