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NHL Predictions: February 25 Anaheim Ducks vs Buffalo Sabres

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NHL Predictions

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey reviews the scheduled games and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will win in head-to-head matchups. Today, we preview the Anaheim Ducks vs Buffalo Sabres. Check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.

NHL Predictions

Anaheim Ducks vs Buffalo Sabres

Head to Head: Ducks 0 – 1 Sabres

Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

TV: Victory+; MSG-B; KCOP-13; ESPN+

The Ducks (25-24-7) will conclude their three-game road trip when they take on the Sabres (23-27-4) at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY on February 25. This will be the second and final meeting between the interconference opponents. The Sabres won 3 – 2 in OT back in Anaheim on November 11. Disappointingly, Anaheim lost a two-goal lead, including giving up the tying goal with just 33 seconds left. Then, Jiri Kulich scored the game-winner with just one minute left in OT. The Sabres (51 pts) are last in the East but only nine points back of a wild-card spot in a much tighter conference. Anaheim (57 pts), incredibly, sits just six points back of the final wild-card spot in the west.

Anaheim Ducks Look to Close Road-Trip Strong

Anaheim’s previous game was entertaining, to say the least. After giving up three goals on three straight power plays in the first, the Ducks clawed back to tie the game 4-4 late in the third. This was the second time in two games the Detroit Red Wings lost a two-goal lead late in the game. Cutter Gauthier‘s tying goal was one of the most beautiful backhand shots. 

It was only good enough for a point though, as Detroit won in OT. The Ducks are now 22-0-3 when scoring 3+ goals this season and are 7-2-1 in their previous 10 games. The OT loss snapped a four-game win streak. Even worse, Trevor Zegras received a three-game suspension for his hit on Michael Rasmussen. 

Unfortunately, this means Zegras won’t have the chance to repeat his most famous assist in the same building. 

Leo Carlsson leads the Ducks with five assists and six points in their previous five games. He will need to continue his recent surge, especially with his linemate Zegras is out for a couple of games. With John Gibson day-to-day, expect Lukas Dostal to start in Buffalo. Dostal has a 2.92 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this season. 

Buffalo Sabres Trying to Build on Recent Momentum

While Buffalo is in an unfortunately familiar position in the standings, they have been playing winning hockey lately. The Sabres are 6-4-0 in their last ten games and, more impressively, have won four of their previous five. Impressively, two wins were against their rival Rangers and Devils, including exploding out of the break with five goals in the first period against the Rangers. Rasmus Dahlin is the most impressive Sabre recently with eight assists and 11 points in their previous five games.

Four Nations snub Tage Thompson is driving the offence again this season; he leads the team with 26 goals and 51 points.  Unfortunately, the diagnosis in Buffalo is a concern with depth. Their top players are having net-positive impacts on the game. However, the bottom half of the lineup, including young stars like Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn are hurting more than helping. Also, unlike Anaheim, the Sabres haven’t received Vezina-level goaltending from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and former Duck James Reimer. Lukkonen played the Rangers, and with Reimer potentially knowing some of the Ducks’ shooters’ tendencies, expect the latter to start. Reimer has a 2.95 goals against average and .898 save percentage this season.

Prediction

The Ducks look to bounce back from their OT loss in Detroit, and they will come out flying against the Buffalo Sabres. Lead strong offensive games from Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson as well as a solid performance between the pipes from  Lukas Dostal, we predict the Ducks will defeat the Sabres in regulation, extending their strong run and keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Prediction: Ducks win 5 – 3

Prop Bets of the Night

We close out our NHL Predictions for the Anaheim Ducks vs Buffalo Sabres with some of our preferred prop bets of the night.  Take a look at McTavish anytime goal (+290). Odds courtesy of FanDuel. Record this season (7-18).

Note: Always check the latest team news and player statuses before placing any bets, as injuries and other factors can influence game outcomes.

Main Photo: Ryan Sun-Imagn Images

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The post NHL Predictions: February 25 Anaheim Ducks vs Buffalo Sabres appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.