Welp, we are officially starting the second half of the Buffalo Sabres 2022-23 season. Can they kick it off with a win over a division rival?
The Buffalo Sabres don’t play well at home, having compiled just a 9-11-2 record at the KeyBank Center. However, they are playing better at midseason than anyone would have expected, sporting a 21-18-2 record, good for 44 points.
While improved, if the Sabres plan on making a playoff push, they have left themselves with little margin for error. So when they play a team like the Florida Panthers, a group that has underperformed so far in 2022-23, it is a must-win affair.
So can the Blue and Gold prevail in Game 1 of the season’s second half? Let’s check out the odds and make a prediction.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Panthers Odds – Game 42
Per Fan Duel, the Buffalo Sabres are +1.5 underdogs at home against the Panthers. The Over/Under is 7 and the Sabres moneyline is +110. The Panthers moneyline is -132.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Panthers Prediction – Game 42
The Sabres don’t just struggle at home, they have also routinely played down to their competition in 2022-23. Just last week, they let a lesser-talented Philadelphia Flyers team shut them out, something that was inexcusable for a team as high-octane as the Sabres.
Sure, shutouts happen to even the best teams, but a group not as far along as Buffalo should not have done the honors. The Panthers, points-wise are right there with the Sabres, so expect a struggle at the KeyBank Center in the matinee.
Until the Sabres prove they can defeat teams equal to or lesser than they are from a points perspective, I can’t justify predicting they win this thing. Plus, with Buffalo sending Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to Rochester for the latest round of paper transactions, you will see either Eric Comrie or Craig Anderson in the net for this one.
If it’s Comrie, this game could get ugly. If it’s Anderson, the Sabres will at least keep it close, but I don’t foresee a win.
(Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change)
Want your voice heard? Join the Sabre Noise team!