KEY POINTS

  • Sabres are coming back from All-Star break
  • Sabres will begin their five-game homestand on Tuesday
  • Sabres are faves against Senators

Starting a five-game homestand after a long break could not be more favorable for the Sabres. On Tuesday, they will host the Ottawa Senators who are just coming off a loss against New Jersey on the previous night.

The Senators recorded three wins in four games before the All-Star break, and they look to maintain the same kind of energy to protect their home ice.

With all these positive conditions, Ottawa will be entering the joust as favorites against the Senators per the updated NHL odds.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres are 14-6-3 at home. And with still about 10 points to conquer before stepping into the Eastern Conference Playoff picture, head coach Ralph Krueger will expect nothing but grit and grind from his skaters not just in this game but for the rest of the regular season.

Left-wing Jeff Skinner is expected to be back from a 10-game injury layoff - a welcome boost for the Sabres who seek to sustain their winning trend.

In 39 games played. Skinner has registered 11 goals and eight assists. Team goals and points leader Jack Eichel will try to continue his red-hot scoring stretch against the Senators. In his 62 total points, 11 came from his last 10 games.

Ottawa Senators

Anthony Duclair was held in check again Monday when the Senators lost to New Jersey, 4-3. That now makes it 11 games where the All-Star has not scored a goal. He still leads the team with 19, though. But he certainly needs to regain his stroke if Ottawa wants to capture a series of victories.

Connor Brown stays steady despite their wobbly campaign. Over the last four games, the right-wing skater posted three goals and four assists to overtake Jean-Gabriel Pageau in the team’s total points ladder with 32.

Odds and Trends

The Sabres are favorites with a -192 price to win while the Senators are dogs with +167.

The Sabres are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning % below .400 and 8-3 in their last 11 home games.

The Senators are 31-64 in their last 95 overall and 3-13 in their last 16 vs. a team with a losing record.

Over is 3-0-1 in Sabres last 4 Tuesday games and 4-0 in Senators last 4 games as a road underdog.

Under is 6-2 in Sabres last 8 games as a home favorite and 4-1 in Senators last 5 overall.

Prediction

Moneyline: Sabres

Total: Over

Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) makes a save on a shot by Montreal Canadiens Tomas Plekanec (14) during second period NHL hockey action in Montreal, October 18, 2011.
Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) makes a save on a shot by Montreal Canadiens Tomas Plekanec (14) during second period NHL hockey action in Montreal, October 18, 2011. Reuters