The Buffalo Sabres (7-3-0) and Carolina Hurricanes (7-2-1) meet Friday at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+/Hulu).
The Sabres have been an offensive powerhouse during their 3-game win streak. They topped the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins by a combined score of 18-9 and covered the puck line in the past 2 outings. To no one’s surprise, the Over is 3-0 during the run.
The Hurricanes played a seesaw affair on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday, eventually winning 4-3 in a shootout.
This will be the 2nd back-to-back situation of the season for the Canes. They won 4-3 in OT at the Philadelphia Flyers Oct. 29 after getting demolished by the New York Islanders in the front end of the set in their first back-to-back.
Sabres at Hurricanes odds
- Moneyline (ML): Sabres +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Hurricanes -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Sabres +1.5 (-140) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Sabres at Hurricanes projected goalies
Craig Anderson (3-0-0, 1.66 GAA, .946 SV%) vs. Antti Raanta (2-0-1, 2.23 GAA, .913 SV%)
The 41-year-old veteran Anderson is reinventing himself in western New York after a few dismal years from 2017-20 in Ottawa. He is looking like the goaltender he was in the prime of his career back in the early 2010s.
Raanta is technically the backup in Raleigh, but he is more of a 1A option to Frederik Andersen. He can easily be a starter for most teams in the NHL and combined with Andersen to win the Jennings trophy in 2021-22 after allowing a league-low 202 goals.
Raanta is off to a tremendous start this season, too, allowing 3 or fewer goals in each of his 3 outings. This will be his first start of the season in front of the home fans.
Sabres at Hurricanes picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 4, Sabres 2
Moneyline
The Hurricanes (-200) have a quick turnaround after an emotionally draining game in Tampa, and the Sabres have been playing very good hockey. This is a dangerous spot to bet the favourite, especially at 2 times your potential return.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The HURRICANES -1.5 (+115) are a better value on the puck line, although the Sabres have been skating with their hair on fire lately, scoring goals at will. This won’t be easy, and likely will come down to an empty-net goal late to tip the scales in your favor.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5(-105) is the play based on the outstanding play of both Anderson and Raanta.
These goalies are going to see a lot of rubber headed their way, as the Canes average 38.1 shots on goal (SOG) per game, while the Sabres are good for 33.1 SOG per outing. However, while there will be plenty of shots, expect both goalies to be equal to the task, keeping this game just under the total.
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