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Arizona Coyotes vs. Buffalo Sabres Pick
The Coyotes have encountered into some defensive problems during their recent three-game losing streak. Specifically, I should note goaltending, because they allowed an average of less than 30 shots per game. Kuemper gave up 4 goals to the Bruins in a 4-3 loss. A Bruins team that has struggled offensively this season, hit Kuemper for a 0.846 save percentage.
Prior to that game, he gave up 3 goals in a 3-2 loss to the Knights in overtime. Overall, he has been okay with a 2.83 GAA and 0.909 save percentage. He should play well enough for the Coyotes not to have to go out and initiate a trade for a goaltender. An average team will likely be fine with an average goaltender for the time being.
Arizona are 28th in the league with just 2.59 goals scored per game. That’s not going to get it done in this era of high-scoring in the NHL. And with the injury to Raanta, it’s going to put even more pressure on the offence to start winning games.
The Sabres are coming off a 4-3 win over the Kings in overtime. It ended a five-game losing streak, which came immediately after ten straight wins. They have the upper-hand at home in this contest. Buffalo have scored 3.13 goals per game at KeyBank Center, compared to 2.5 goals on the road for the Coyotes.
The Sabres are a model for what the Coyotes can develop into. Buffalo finished last a season ago, but are playing like a playoff team in 2018-19. We’ll see if the Yotes can follow their path in upcoming seasons. However, for the moment, the Coyotes are the students in Buffalo. Expect the Sabres to teach them a thing or two and form a new consecutive win streak against the Coyotes.