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Buffalo Sabres vs. Colorado Avalanche: Preview, Predictions and Picks for January 2, 2025

Updated on:
Jan 2, 2025 9:14 PM
The Colorado Avalanche, riding a winning streak, host the Buffalo Sabres at Ball Arena on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 9:00 PM. The Avalanche, with a 23-15 record, look to build on their momentum against the struggling Sabres, who sit at 14-20-4. This Central Division vs Atlantic Division matchup promises to be an exciting clash of Eastern and Western Conference teams.
Buffalo Sabres vs Colorado Avalanche

Current Odds

BUF
COL
Over
7.5
+150
Under
7.0
+108
BUF
-1.5
+220
COL
+1.5
-110
BUF
ML
+110
COL
ML
+210

Sabres vs Avalanche statistics

Stat Sabres Avalanche
Goals For per Game 3.03 3.39
Goals Against Average 3.34 3.24
Shots per Game 27.2 29.6
Shots Against per Game 29.0 26.9
Power Play Goals 17 27
Power Play Goals Against 26 22
Short Handed Goals 3 2
Short Handed Goals Against 0 0
Penalty Minutes 384 274
Power Play Percentage 16.0 23.5
Penalty Kill Percentage 78.2 77.6

Colorado Avalanche recent games

Game Date Opponent Result Score
12/31/24 vs Winnipeg Jets W 5-2
12/27/24 @ Utah Hockey Club W 4-1
12/22/24 vs Seattle Kraken W 5-2
12/20/24 @ Anaheim Ducks W 4-2
12/19/24 @ San Jose Sharks W 4-2

Buffalo Sabres recent games

Game Date Opponent Result Score
12/31/24 @ Dallas Stars L 4-2
12/29/24 @ St. Louis Blues W 4-2
12/27/24 vs Chicago Blackhawks W 6-2
12/23/24 @ New York Islanders W 7-1
12/21/24 @ Boston Bruins L 3-1

Colorado Avalanche injuries

  • Oliver Kylington (D): Injured Reserve
  • Valeri Nichushkin (RW): Day-To-Day
  • Ivan Ivan (C): Injured Reserve
  • Miles Wood (LW): Injured Reserve
  • Jonathan Drouin (LW): Injured Reserve

Buffalo Sabres injuries

  • Nicolas Aube-Kubel (RW): Day-To-Day
  • Rasmus Dahlin (D): Out
  • Ryan McLeod (C): Day-To-Day
  • Sam Lafferty (C): Injured Reserve
  • Mattias Samuelsson (D): Injured Reserve

Sabres vs Avalanche game info

Type Info
Venue Ball Arena
Location Denver, CO
Puck drop Thu 9:00 PM

Sabres vs Avalanche predictions

When you think of the Buffalo Sabres, it's hard not to picture Tage Thompson dancing past defenders with his stickhandling skills. Unfortunately for the Sabres, he’ll be missing from the lineup due to injury. This puts a bit of a cloud over their offensive strategies. Despite this setback, Rasmus Dahlin has been a beacon of reliability on the blue line with his impressive playmaking abilities, though he's also set to miss the match. The Sabres will need to rely on their depth to step up at Ball Arena. Fans could look to players like Dylan Cozens to bring some flair and intensity, which might just make the difference if they can capitalize on their scoring opportunities.

Over in the Colorado Avalanche camp, Mikko Rantanen is a force to be reckoned with, finding the back of the net more than any other teammate. Expect him to be a central figure, testing Buffalo's defensive structure. Nathan MacKinnon, with his jaw-dropping 47 assists so far, weaves magic on the ice and creates countless opportunities for those around him. The duo remains a nightmare for any defense. It's likely we’ll see MacKinnon orchestrating the offense once again, threading passes with pinpoint accuracy that could keep the scoreboard ticking in favor of the Colorado Avalanche.

As these two teams face off, the Avalanche come into the game with momentum on their side, riding the high of their winning streak. Despite the Sabres’ challenges, anything can happen on the ice. The Sabres might bring their A-game, but the odds seem to lean toward the Avalanche maintaining their winning form at home. With their dynamic players firing on all cylinders, they appear poised to extend their streak, securing another win at Ball Arena. What do you think? Could the Sabres surprise the NHL world with an upset, or will the Avalanche soar to another victory?

Colorado Avalanche

No
Colorado Avalanche
players

Buffalo Sabres

No
Buffalo Sabres
players

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