Buffalo/Atlanta Over 5.5 -104
Not a big fan of taking a total this high but this game has 7 or 8 goals written all over it.
Let’s start with the Buffalo Sabres who have failed to go over the total just twice in their last 16 games, (12-2-2). In the those games, which date back over a month ago, there has been 114 goals scored for an average of 7.13.
Then there’s the all or nothing Atlanta Thrashers who are well known for their wide open kamikaze style of offense that limits their defense to little more than whatever Pasi Nurminen can keep out of the net all by his lonesome. However in the exact same time period as the Sabres recent goal scoring explosion the Atlanta Thrashers have cooled with their totals matching a over with a under, (6-7-2). But when you look closer and see who their opponents were you find teams like Carolina, (three games), the Rangers, (three games), the Devils and the Bruins. All opponents that aren’t conducive to high scoring games. Pit the Thrashers against another weak defense, offensive minded club and give the goal judge a large Tim Horton’s because he’s going to have a busy night.
In the three games between these two this year they have combined for 11, 5, and 9 goals.
Last year in four games they had 10, 7, 8, and 7 combined tallies. See the pattern?
Lastly the Sabres are fighting for the playoffs as they are four points behind the Islanders for the eighth spot. Tomorrow night they play at Tampa Bay. Every game is paramount for them so it’s probable that they will start Martin Biron on consecutive nights which will give him 9 straight starts. But if they were to give him a rest I would guess that tonight would be the game. If so all the better for the total as Mika Noronen would get the start. Four of his last five starts have gone over. And in his last two starts he allowed 7 goals in 33 shots to Ottawa and 6 goals in 26 shots to New Jersey.
NHL single unit plays………87-55-7.…..+ 32.27
Unit and a half plays………..13-5-1.…… + 10.845
NHL total to Date…………...100-60-8.……+ 43.115
Not a big fan of taking a total this high but this game has 7 or 8 goals written all over it.
Let’s start with the Buffalo Sabres who have failed to go over the total just twice in their last 16 games, (12-2-2). In the those games, which date back over a month ago, there has been 114 goals scored for an average of 7.13.
Then there’s the all or nothing Atlanta Thrashers who are well known for their wide open kamikaze style of offense that limits their defense to little more than whatever Pasi Nurminen can keep out of the net all by his lonesome. However in the exact same time period as the Sabres recent goal scoring explosion the Atlanta Thrashers have cooled with their totals matching a over with a under, (6-7-2). But when you look closer and see who their opponents were you find teams like Carolina, (three games), the Rangers, (three games), the Devils and the Bruins. All opponents that aren’t conducive to high scoring games. Pit the Thrashers against another weak defense, offensive minded club and give the goal judge a large Tim Horton’s because he’s going to have a busy night.
In the three games between these two this year they have combined for 11, 5, and 9 goals.
Last year in four games they had 10, 7, 8, and 7 combined tallies. See the pattern?
Lastly the Sabres are fighting for the playoffs as they are four points behind the Islanders for the eighth spot. Tomorrow night they play at Tampa Bay. Every game is paramount for them so it’s probable that they will start Martin Biron on consecutive nights which will give him 9 straight starts. But if they were to give him a rest I would guess that tonight would be the game. If so all the better for the total as Mika Noronen would get the start. Four of his last five starts have gone over. And in his last two starts he allowed 7 goals in 33 shots to Ottawa and 6 goals in 26 shots to New Jersey.
NHL single unit plays………87-55-7.…..+ 32.27
Unit and a half plays………..13-5-1.…… + 10.845
NHL total to Date…………...100-60-8.……+ 43.115
