Buffalo Sabres vs Los Angeles Kings Betting Pick & Prediction 11/20/24
The Sabres and Kings are set to face off at 10:30 ET on ESPN+. The Kings will host the game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 6 goals, with the Kings being the favored by -1.5 goals against the Sabres.
BUFFALO SABRES VS LOS ANGELES KINGS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Los Angeles Kings -1.5
This game will be played at Crypto.com Arena at 10:30 ET on Wednesday, November 20th.
WHY BET THE LOS ANGELES KINGS:
- With a 1.5-goal advantage on the spread, our projections favor the Kings to secure a 4-3 victory.
- Take the Kings on the moneyline
- On the spread, we like Sabres (+1.5)
Will Buffalo Win on the Road?
Buffalo fell to 8-9-1 after a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings. The Sabres, as underdogs on the puck line, took the lead with a short-handed goal in the first period, but Detroit responded with two power-play goals in the second. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell well short.
Alex Tuch scored Buffalo’s only goal at 11:39 in the first period. The Sabres had 32 shots on goal but failed to score again. Defensively, they allowed 23 shots, with both goals coming from Dylan Larkin in the second period.
Buffalo’s offense managed just one goal in their 2-1 loss to the Red Wings, with Alex Tuch scoring his 5th of the season on a shorthanded effort. The Sabres fired 32 shots on goal but were unable to convert on any of their 13 giveaways.
After Tuch’s goal at 8:21 in the first period, the Sabres were held scoreless for the remainder of the game. They were unable to capitalize on any power play opportunities.
Buffalo’s defense gave up two goals, both in the second period, after taking a 1-0 lead. Both goals came on the power play. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage. The Sabres’ defense also recorded 5 takeaways and 17 hits.
Will the Kings Defense Show Up at Home?
After a 4-3 loss to the Blackhawks, the Kings are now 10-6-3 this season. Los Angeles led 3-2 in the third period, but Chicago tied it with just 31 seconds left and went on to win in the shootout.
The Kings were favored with the puck line at -1.5 goals, and the total for the game was set at 6 goals. The combined score of 7 goals pushed the game over the total.
Alex Laferriere netted his 7th and 8th goals of the season, with his first coming on a power play at 16:03 in the first period. Phillip Danault added his first goal of the season at 8:12 in the third period.
Danault also picked up his 4th assist on Laferriere’s second goal. Kevin Fiala contributed two assists, bringing his total to 5 for the season. The Kings fired 40 shots on goal and recorded 13 giveaways.
Defensively, the Kings will be looking to bounce back after giving up three goals in the 3rd period of their previous game, including the tying goal with just 31 seconds left. Goalie Darcy Kuemper posted a save percentage of 85.7% on 21 shots from the Blackhawks, and the Kings’ defense recorded 6 takeaways and 24 hits.