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Welcome back to another NHL Predictions here at Last Word on Hockey! Every day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for games around the NHL. Tonight, for the only time in the regular season, we have the St. Louis Blues travelling to New York to take on the Buffalo Sabres in an inter-conference matchup.
How to Watch
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, MSG Western New York
At times, it’s not easy to tell these two teams apart on the ice due to their incredibly similar sweater colours, but we’re going to do our best to break it down. Buffalo’s last game came Tuesday night when they were able to secure yet another point in an overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth. Sabres goalie Alex Lyon played outstanding, stopping 33 of Utah’s 35 shots and earning the game’s first overall star.
“We just need to start finding a way to get that extra point here and there…” Lyon said of his team in a post game press conference, before putting just as much weight on himself. “…I need to find a way to start getting that extra point here and there too.”
Meanwhile, the Blues finally snapped their winless drought by capping off another comeback with a late 3rd period goal against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. Last night, they faced the Washington Capitals in the first half of a back-to-back set of games, and it was yet another slow, sluggish start. Once again, the power play struggled to offer any support, going 0-2 in the first two periods and not even registering a shot on the first. Jordan Binnington got the hook again as he let in three goals on Washington’s first three shots of the second period, including Alex Ovechkin‘s 900th career NHL goal.
At times it seems there are two different teams suiting up for the St. Louis Blues. This was a team that was a literal second away from advancing to the second round of the playoffs last year over the President’s Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets.
Unfortunately, leaky defence and goaltending have hindered the Blues’ return to contending. Before a 3-2 comeback win over Edmonton earlier this week, the Blues had secured just two points out of a possible 14 over seven games. If they want to continue to climb up from the bottom of the standings, much like they did in the 2019 cup-winning season, they need to play with a lot more consistency and identity.
The outlook after the first three games in Buffalo this year looked grim. That was until they scored eight goals against Ottawa, and everyone seemed to settle down. The Sabres started to compete. As a matter of fact, they have played five straight games that have gone to either overtime or a shootout.
Alex Tuch leads the team with 12 points after 13 games, while Tage Thompson is not far behind with 10 points, though they are both tied for the team lead in goals with five.
Earning points is said to be much easier in October and November than in March and April. Teams that can continue to play consistent and competitive hockey early are much more likely to find themselves in the mix of a playoff spot battle come the spring.
St. Louis is playing their second game in as many days. The Sabres, on the other hand, are well rested and look to wrap up a small three-game home stand by going 2-1-0.
Goals came a little too late for the Blues last night as they didn’t get on the board until early in the third, a point in which they were already down 5-0. They looked downright slow against a rested Washington squad. Joel Hofer was shaky in relief of Binnington, allowing at least two goals in his sixth straight game.
A lot of fans may not know that Tage Thompson was traded from the Blues to the Sabres in 2018. He was a huge factor in the Blues acquiring Ryan O’Reilly. Thompson has seven points in eight games against the team that traded him so early in his career.
Prediction: Buffalo wins 4-2.
The Over/Under for this one is set at 6.5 goals (-120). With our predicted score of 4-2, we are taking the under on this one.
The game last night makes it difficult to take any bet in the Blues’ favour. If the Blues are going to turn this around, it will be led by captain Brayden Schenn, who we’ll take with one goal tonight (+300). The Buffalo prop bets are certainly more enticing. With Tage Thompson facing his former club again, we are looking at him to score at least one goal (+100).
Main Photo: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Matthew Barbier is a writer and subscriber for Last Word On Sports. His main focus revolves around covering news and information around the hockey world, from fantasy sports to specific teams and players. Matthew is also a public school teacher of over ten years, who has also published a self-help book and a set of children’s stories. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 2012 with a B.S. in K-12 Special Education, and then again in 2016 with a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Practices in Schools.
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