Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Sabres vs Oilers Odds
Looking for Buffalo Sabres vs. Edmonton Oilers free hockey plays? NHL betting sees the Sabres taking on the Oilers on Sunday October 16th at the Rogers Center in Edmonton, AB. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions.
(46-30-6) Buffalo Sabres vs. Edmonton Oilers (48-28-6)
Date: Sunday, October 16th
Time: 7:00 PM (EST)
Venue: Rogers Center in Edmonton, AB.
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: OFF
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: OFF
NHL Betting Total: OFF
Live NHL Odds
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First overall selection just a year ago, Connor McDavid, has quickly turned into one of the game’s biggest stars and elite offensive players. What’s crazy is that he’s only 19 and has already earned the captaincy in Edmonton, the youngest player in NHL history to be given the ‘C’.
He would be facing off against another franchising-changing talent that was selected right after him in the 2015 Draft, but Jack Eichel sustained an injury in practice the day before their season began which will sideline him long-term.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres are hurting right now, missing four of their top forwards to injuries as Eichel, Ryan O’Reilly, Evander Kane and free agent signee, Kyle Okposo, are all sidelined.
This is obviously a huge blow for the Sabres, especially losing their centerpiece, Eichel, for 6-8 weeks as per GM Tim Murray.
Kane was injured in their first game as he awkwardly crashed into the boards and cracked three ribs according to coach, Dan Bylsma.
The definitive timeline wasn’t given, but rather Bylsma said Kane would be out “weeks.”
The Sabres will need their other forwards to step, such as former top picks Sam Reinhart and Zemgus Grigensons.
The two have shown the skill to be solid scorers in the league, but will now be leaned upon as the frontline of the Sabres’ attack for the time-being.
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Game #1 of the season was a forgettable one for the Sabres, as they fell 4-1 to the Montreal Canadiens and lost one of their top-sex forwards in the process.
Netminder Robin Lehner took the loss, who was acquired to be their netminder for the present and future, in a deal with the Ottawa Senators heading into the 2015-16 season.
Lehner has been mediocre thus far in his NHL despite showing brilliant stretches, owning a career SV% of .915 and a GAA just south of 3.00 at 2.82.
Edmonton Oilers
Game #1 went mostly according to plan for the Oilers, with McDavid recording three points en route to a 7-4 victory over their rival Calgary Flames.
McDavid looks every bit the part of a transcendant talent who has the ability to lead the league in scoring as a 19-year old.
Their power play looks especially deadly in the game, with a bevy of talent for both the first and second unit, that should give them an edge up on special teams against most opposition.
The Oil had 12 different players record a point in their opener, a depth that management will certainly hope can be sustained moving forward. The forward group, though slightly revamped, should be their strength yet again this year.
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Cam Talbot is the lead option in net for the Oilers, who had a turmoil start to his time in Edmonton last season but regained form and had a solid second half of the year.
For his career, Talbot owns a 55-42-10 record between his time with the Rangers and Edmonton, along with a 2.29 GAA and .924 SV%.
The defense corps should be improved with the addition of Adam Larsson and Kris Russell, but it is still a work-in-progress as evidence by the four goals allowed in their first game.
NHL Hockey Handicapping Trends
- McDavid was 3rd in the league in points-per-game a season ago, at a 1.066 mark.
- In 2 games last season facing one another, the Oilers took the series 2-0 and outscored Buffalo 6-3.
Free Buffalo Sabres vs Edmonton Oilers NHL Hockey Prediction
Edmonton holds most of the advantages in this game aside from on defense, with a deeper and healthier forward squad and a superior netminder.
I expect that it will continue to be a tough start to the season for Buffalo considering how significant the injuries are to their forward group.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Edmonton -1.5.
I predict that tonight, the Oilers will beat the Sabres by enough to cover the spread.
Look for McDavid to follow-up his strong early performance with another, against a goalie in Lehner who doesn’t rank amongst the top half in the league.
Behind McDavid, the depth of scoring should provide enough of a buffer for the Oilers to stave off any charge that Buffalo will be able to throw at them in the absense of injured star fowrads.
Eichel will have to anxiously watch from the press-box as his 2015 draft alum, McDavid, and the Oilers take it to his hurting Sabres squad.
NHL Free Score Prediction: Buffalo 2 – Edmonton 5
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