Free NHL Pick (Fri, Dec. 11): Buffalo/Chicago to go under
NHL PICKS RECORD
Season-to-date: 61-50-3
Buffalo Sabres vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Two of the league’s top defensive teams battle it out tonight in Buffalo, and I’m looking for them both to live up to their billing and keep the scoring low in this one.
The Sabres come into tonight having allowed the fewest goals in the league (62), and they rank third in the league in goals against average (2.21).
Sabres goalie Ryan Miller will be getting the night off, which means that backup Patrick Lalime will start in his place. Lalime is making only his third start of the season, and neither of the first two have gone well, as Buffalo lost 4-2 at home to Atlanta on Oct. 17 and 5-3 at Ottawa on Nov. 21.
That’s certainly something that could well make a difference, but Lalime was once a pretty darn good goalie, and tonight’s as good an opportunity for him to shake off the rust and show that he’s still got something left in the tank.
Even if he does let a few in, there’s no guarantees that Buffalo will be able to find a way through Chicago and past Cristobal Huet. The Blackhawks top the league in goals against average (2.14), and they’re third in the league in goals allowed (65).
Blackhawks goalie Cristobal Huet is seventh in the league in goals against average at 2.18, and he’s allowed more than two goals only three times in 10 road starts.
In Chicago’s last road game, they shut down one of the league’s most potent offenses in Pittsburgh in a 2-1 win, and if the Blackhawks are as stingy with allowing opportunities as they have been throughout the season, that also bodes well for few scoring chances on the Buffalo end. Only five of Chicago’s opponents have had more than 30 shots in a game this season, and they‘ve held almost two-thirds of their opponents below the 25-shot mark.
Each of the last six meetings between Buffalo and Chicago has seen the total be five or less, so that’s one trend worth keeping note of.
I’d be even more confident about this one if Miller was going to be in net for the Sabres, but even with the game’s hottest goalie not in action tonight, I still favor this one to hit on the under when all is said and done.
FREE NHL PICK (12/11): Buffalo/Chicago UNDER 5 ½
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