NHL Moneyline: Blackhawks vs Sabers
Chicago Blackhawks @ Buffalo Sabres
Friday, December 11th – HSBC Arena, Buffalo
NHL Money Line: Blackhawks -120
What The Blackhawks Have To Do To Win:
Chicago’s coming off a thrilling 2-1 overtime win over the Rangers but the offense, however, has been struggling. Since an eight-game winning streak, Chicago has played seven games and yet to register a win in regulation. They scored more than three goals only once in that stretch and clearly, the offense that is loaded with tons of young offensive talent isn’t performing up to their capabilities. The Blackhawks have plenty of offensive talent, and they need to step up their game for Chicago to get back on track. Patrick Kane hasn’t scored in three weeks, and Marian Hossa has one goal in his last six games. It won’t get any easier playing against Ryan Miller and the Sabres, who is arguably the hottest goalie around.
Fun fact: Chicago has six shorthanded goals, most in the league.
What The Sabres Have To Do To Win:
The Sabres just have to make sure Ryan Miller stays hot. Buffalo had been stuck in a min-slump, but Miller broke them out of it in a 3-0 win over Chicago on Wednesday. Miller made 35 saves in the win over Washington and his 1.82 GAA and .938 S% lead the NHL. Those numbers will come in handy against a Blackhawks team that, although struggling, knows how to score. But as long as the Sabres can keep Chicago from scoring early, the win will come. The Blackhawks have scored only 22 goals in the third period, ranking them 26th in the league in that category. If Miller and the Sabres can keep them quiet early, they should be able to get a big home win on Friday night.
Outlook & Pick
It’s going to be a low-scoring affair. The Blackhawks have allowed only 61 goals all season, good for second best in the league. The Sabres have allowed only 62, good for third. The game will come down to goaltending. That favours the Sabres. Miller is making his case for the Vezina Trophy early, and if it weren’t for Ilya Bryzgalov in Phoenix Miller would be the clear front runner. For now, he’ll have to settle for best in the Eastern Conference. I’m sure he’ll take it. This won’t be the game Chicago remembers how to score.
Pick: Buffalo Sabres
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