Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the New York Islanders taking on the Buffalo Sabres. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
New York Islanders vs Buffalo Sabres
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: MSG-B, MSGSN, ESPN+
This matchup features two Eastern Conference opponents in the bottom-half of the standings. The Islanders are seventh in the Metropolitan Division. Their record 13-14-7 through 34 games, good for 33 points. The Sabres on the other hand sit last place not just in the Atlantic Division but the entire NHL. They hold a record of 11-19-4 through 34 games good for 26 points. This is the third and final time these two will play during the season. The Islanders have won both of the previous matchups so far this year. This last game taking place on Long Island inside UBS Arena.
The Islanders Story
For the Islanders, it was an impressive win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the last game. There was a lot to like from the offence who welcomed back Anthony Duclai from injury. Coach Patrick Roy played him on the top line however, it was not with Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat like before. In an effort to balance the offence, he separated the trio on different lines. It led to a six-goal outburst with contributions from all three. The team hopes this is a sign of things to come for the 26th-ranked offence averaging 2.65 goals per game. The powerplay didn’t get a chance to work in this game, that area will be huge in keeping up the scoring. That unit ranks dead last at 12.1% but getting healthy could be able to help that.
The Islanders’ defence played its third straight game allowing three or more goals. The backend did produce some offence though. Noah Dobson scored one. Rookie defenceman Isaiah George was also able to pot his first career goal and it stood up as the game-winning goal. During his time filling in, he has proved he has the potential to be a piece for the future. However, as a team they have struggled recently, they rank 19th in goals against with 3.09 per game. Ilya Sorokin was also able to bounce back after two rough starts as he continues to be the workhorse in the net for this team. This brings his record to 10-10-4 with a .903 save percentage and 2.82 goals against.
The Sabres Story
Buffalo comes into this game on an astonishing 13-game losing streak. The losing streak is the third-longest in franchise history going 0-10-3 since an 11-9-1 start. Their 22nd-ranked offence averaging 2.82 goals per game plays a factor in that. The top-line players have led the way but haven’t gotten much from everyone else. Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch lead the way for them both with 25 points. Thompson has done it in 29 games due to missing time with an injury. Since coming back he has scored seven points in the last 10 games. The man advantage has also been a struggle for Buffalo, ranking 30th in the league at 14.1%.
For the struggles Buffalos’ offence has had, their defence has been just as bad. They rank 27th in goals against with 3.47. They have allowed three or more goals in 12 of the 13 games on the losing streak. Ranking in the middle of the pack, 15th in shots on goal against at 758. 69 of those shots are considered high danger, the 12th most in the league. The goaltending play has been down recently as a result. Starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 8-11-3 with a .892 save percentage and 3.12 goals against. However 0-7-2 with a .864 save percentage and 4.10 goals against over his last nine starts. With backup Devon Levi struggling, James Reimer replaced him. He has been decent in his short stint so far. His record is 1-2-1 with a .902 save percentage and 2.45 goals against average.
Prediction
The Sabres are one of the few teams the Islanders should have the advantage on paper against. On offence, and defence to goaltending they should have the advantage. Buffalo is on a big losing streak and they have lost to the Islanders already on that streak. That factored in with the home-ice advantage for New York and that should be enough to hand the Sabres another loss.
Prediction: Islanders win 4-2
Prop Bets of the Night
According to Fanduel, the Islanders are the favourites for this game. We like their money line at -160. The over/under is set at 5.5 goals. With the Islanders’ new balanced offence and the Buffalo struggles on their backend, take the over at -128. Regarding any-time goal scorers, for the Islanders, take Anders Lee at +260. The team’s point leader hasn’t scored in four games, he is due to deposit one. As for the Sabres take Tage Thompson at +190. If anyone is going to score for Buffalo it would be this man.
Main photo by: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: December 23 New York Islanders Vs Buffalo Sabres appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.