The Buffalo Sabres came into the All Star break ranked dead last in the NHL, and I can't find anything that says we won't find them there come the end of the season as well. They're currently on an extended losing streak, while the Flames will play their first game on home-ice after a very successful five game road swing which saw them go 4-1-0. The Sabres won the first meeting of the season 4-3 in Buffalo despite getting out-shot 45-19. Tonight order will be restored and we can expect a blow-out win for the home-team.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. The Buffalo Sabres Struggles - The Sabres are struggling at both ends of the ice, getting outscored 49-16 over 11 consecutive losses covering the spread only twice. Their struggles are particularly obvious away from home where they're conceding 4.18 goals per game for the season while scoring only 1.68 themselves. They have the worst special team unit in the NHL for both power play and penalty kill, and have given up a goal on 13 of their last 36 penalties.

2. Home Cookin - The Flames are posting a losing home record for the season but have not disappointed when hosting lesser competition going 9-0 in their last nine facing a team with a road winning % of less than .400. The Sabres are 4-17-1 outside of their own building for the season and are a notoriously poor road team having won only nine of their last 55 outside of Buffalo.

3. X-Factor - No defensman in the NHL has contributed with more points than the Flames Mark Giordano and his 40 this season which rewarded him with a spot in the All Star game. He did not disappoint, recording one assist and had one goal and four points over the four games leading up to the exhibition game.

Selection: This is a play on the Calgary Flames -1.5 (8*)