We have eight NHL games on the schedule for Monday, December 19, including this inter-conference clash in Vegas, and here you can get the best Sabres vs. Golden Knights betting pick and odds.

Buffalo is hoping to get the fourth straight win when they meet Vegas at T-Mobile Arena. The Golden Knights are -180 moneyline favorites on BetDSI Sportsbook, while the total is set at 6.5 goals. These inter-conference rivals have already faced this year, and the Golden Knights won 7-4 in Buffalo.

Sabres opened the road trip on a high note

The Buffalo Sabres (15-14-2-0, 17-14 ATS) opened their three-game road trip in the west with wins over the Colorado Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes, scoring nine goals in the process. Now, the Sabres have an opportunity to get the fourth consecutive victory for the first time this season when they meet Vegas on Monday.

Buffalo and Arizona played a 2-2 tie after the first two periods, but the Sabres scored three unanswered goals in the final ten minutes of the game to secure a 5-2 W. Jeff Skinner scored a couple of goals and finished with three points, while Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch also chipped in three points apiece. Buffalo deserved this win as it had 43 shots opposite Arizona’s 31. For the year, Thompson is not only the best Buffalo player, but he is also the third in the NHL with 49 points (G 25, A 24). Rasmus Dahlin has 37 (G 10, A 27), Skinner contributes 35 (G 15, A 20), while Tuch collected 34 points (G 15, A 19).

Craig Anderson (7-4-1) is a projected goalie for the Sabres against the Golden Knights on Monday. The 41-year-old is allowing 2.65 goals this season with a .922 SV% and one shutout.

G Eric Comrie (knee), D Ilya Lyubushkin (lower body), and D Jacob Bryson (lower body) are out indefinitely. D Owen Power (lower body) is questionable to face Vegas on Monday.

Golden Knights lost to the Isles at home

The Vegas Golden Knights (22-10-1-0, 17-16 ATS) returned home from a two-game road trip with a couple of wins in the bag, but couldn’t open a four-game home stand with a win. They lost 5-2 to the New York Islanders, matching a season-high five goals allowed along the way. Still, the Golden Knights are atop of the Western Conference with 45 points, three more than Dallas and four ahead of Winnipeg.

Vegas outshot the Islanders 38-26 and Reilly Smith scored a pair of power-play goals, but that wasn’t enough to avoid a defeat. It was 3-2 for the visitors until the final minute and a half when New York bagged two empty-netters to make it 5-2, which was their first W in four games. This season, Jack Eichel (G 13, A 16) and Chandler Stephenson (G 7, A 22) lead the Golden Knights with 29 points each.

Logan Thompson is likely to take his place in the cage against the Sabres on Monday. The 25-year-old is surrendering 2.64 goals per contest this year along with a .917 SV% and two shutouts.

G Robin Lehner (hip), C Jack Eichel (lower body), D Shea Theodore (lower body), C Brett Howden (lower body), C Nolan Patrick (upper body), and D Zach Whitecloud (lower body) are out indefinitely. C Paul Cotter (upper body) is questionable to play on Monday against Buffalo.

Trends:

Buffalo:

  • 5-2 in the last seven overall
  • 4-0 in the last four vs. Western Conference rivals
  • 7-3 in the last ten vs. Pacific Division opponents

Vegas:

  • 1-5 in the last six home games

Buffalo Sabres vs. Vegas Golden Knights Pick  

Although Vegas has 13 points more than Buffalo at the moment, the Sabres are playing well and I think I have a chance not only to cover a +1.5 spread but also to get a victory. The Golden Knights are struggling at home this season as they already suffered eight defeats in 16 games, while the Sabres won five of the last six games on the road. Buffalo has the best offense in the NHL that averages 3.97 goals per game, and even though they are up against a top 10 defense that allows 2.76 gpg, I believe the visitors can outscore the hosts in this one.

Pick: Take the Sabres at +1.5 Puck Line (-130)

The Total

Vegas, who has the 8th defense in the league, did allow 11 goals in the last three games, and given the Sabres scored nine in two on the current road trip, I am backing Buffalo to score at least three here. Buffalo’s defense is rather leaky as it allows 3.45 goals per game, so even without Jack Eichel, Vegas is good enough to score three or four. Expect a high-scoring affair like it was earlier in the season when we saw 11 goals in an H2H duel in Buffalo. Over is 18-7-2 in the Sabres’ last 27 games following a win, while Over is 6-2 in Buffalo’s last eight vs. Western Conference rivals.

Pick: Go Over 6.5 goals (-110)