Buffalo vs. Detroit: NHL Match Prediction
Buffalo will play at home again on December 10, where they will try to break their long losing streak. The team will face Detroit, which is also in terrible shape and has not been able to achieve success for five games in a row. Which bets should you choose? You will find the answer in our forecast

Command Analysis

Buffalo Sabres

Current form
Buffalo still can't cope with the slump, and the losing streak has reached six games in a row. Remarkably, almost all of them ended in regulation time, and the Sabres were close to victory only in two games against Vancouver and Winnipeg, losing twice in overtime with a score of 3:4 and 2:3, respectively. At the moment, the team is holding a home series, but home walls also do not help the club achieve success. In the first meeting, the team fought with Colorado and was able to show a very productive game in attack, and by the end of the first period, the club had a huge advantage of four goals. However, Ruff charges could not hold on to even such an advantage and allowed the clear favorite to make a comeback in the third period, and in the end they had to lose (4:5). Then the team hosted the Jets on the road and played much more reliably in defense, but this did not bring the desired result.
It seemed that the "blades" would be able to give a worthy rebuff to "Utah", but this did not happen. Once again, goalie Luukonen showed his worst side, reflecting only 82% of the shots, which ultimately led to a crushing defeat with a score of 2:5. It is difficult to say when the club will come to its senses and begin to please fans with success again, but so far there are no prerequisites for this. Due to the huge number of lost points, they had to drop to 14th place in the Eastern Conference table.
Disqualifications and injuries
Buffalo continues to have roster issues, with Dahlin, Greenway, Laferty and Samuelsson all in the infirmary.
Interesting trends for betting
- On average, Buffalo allows 3.2 goals per game.
The club main problem remains its very weak defensive play, which allows opponents to consistently realize their attacking potential.
- The Sabres are averaging 10 penalty minutes per game.
It is also worth noting the team terrible discipline, which constantly leads to deletions.

Detroit Red Wings

Current form
After an unsuccessful end to the home series and defeats from New Jersey (4:5) and Vancouver (4:5 OT), Detroit went on the road, where in the first match they fought Boston and were again very close to victory, but allowed the opponent to tie the score in the third period, and then lost in overtime with a final score of 2:3. The attack line did not show its best, creating few dangerous moments in the opponent zone. Then the team played with an opponent of its level, in the person of Ottawa, and again suffered an offensive defeat, only in regulation time (1:2). This time the Senators took the advantage in the last minute of the meeting.
Returning to their home arena, the Red Wings faced a much more powerful opponent in Colorado and were unable to break through the opponent strong defense, scoring only one goal and losing 1:2. The Wings did not sit back in defense and throughout the match created pressure on the Avalanche, but this did not bring the desired result, due to the low efficiency of shots. Indeed, this season, Detroit has shown a very weak game in attack and in this indicator remains one of the worst clubs in the league. The team cannot get closer to the playoff zone, and at the moment is in the penultimate line in the Eastern Conference standings, having an advantage over Montreal by only one point.
Disqualifications and injuries
Remarkably, Detroit has no serious problems with its roster. Only Lyon and Talbot are in the infirmary.
Interesting trends for betting
- Detroit averages just 2.48 goals per game
Throughout the regular season, the team has been experiencing problems with scoring.
- The Red Wings converted 27% of their power play attempts.
But the team performs well when playing with the majority and consistently takes advantage of opponents' penalties.
Trends
Goal in each period bet – no
In three out of four head-to-head matches, the teams failed to score a goal in each period.
2.49Bet First Goal: Buffalo
Buffalo has opened the scoring in four of the six head-to-head games
1.79Tip and bets
As we have already noted, even home walls do not help Buffalo to achieve success. With the support of their fans, the team has not been able to win for five games in a row, and not in all matches has it managed to transfer the game to overtime. Detroit, in turn, is also not in the best shape, but it has a serious difference. The Red Wings consistently give a worthy rebuff to their competitors in all matches and if they lose, then either in overtime or with a difference of only one puck. Despite this, bookmakers believe more in the success of the home team and give a very high coefficient for the victory of the Wings, which we suggest taking advantage of.
Our prediction is a Detroit victory with a handicap of (0) at 2.26
Bet on total
In the upcoming match, we can expect a large number of goals scored. Both teams cannot boast of a reliable game in defense, and in face-to-face meetings they consistently please fans with productive hockey. So as a second bet, we choose total over.
Forecast - total over 5.5 goals for 1.75
Bet on the outcome of the first period
Still, Buffalo shouldn't be underestimated at all. The team at home is quite capable of giving Detroit a worthy rebuff at the start of the match and is unlikely to allow them to gain an advantage at the end of the opening period.
Prediction: Buffalo wins in the first period with a handicap of (0) for 1.70