NY Rangers (14-12-1) vs. Buffalo Sabres (11-13-4)
December 11, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Buffalo Sabres +120 / NY Rangers -140; Over/Under: +6
(Get latest betting odds)
The NY Rangers and Buffalo Sabres meet Wednesday in NHL action at the KeyBank Center. Here’s a Buffalo Sabres vs NY Rangers Prediction. This article will include a Buffalo Sabres vs NY Rangers Pick.
New York Rangers Betting Preview
The New York Rangers lost to the Kraken and Blackhawks, and they play the Kings, Blues, and Predators next. The New York Rangers are averaging 3.19 goals per game and are scoring 22.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Artemi Panarin leads New York with 15 goals, Adam Fox has 22 assists, and Chris Kreider has 69 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Rangers are allowing 3 goals per game and are killing 85.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Igor Shesterkin has allowed 57 goals on 633 shots faced, and Jonathan Quick has given up 19 goals on 224 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres lost to the Red Wings and Utah Hockey Club, and play the Capitals, Maple Leafs, and Canadiens next. The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring on 14.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 15 goals, Alex Tuch has 16 assists and Rasmus Dahlin has 74 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.25 goals per game and are killing 80.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Devon Levi has given up 24 goals on 185 shots faced, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has allowed 53 goals on 540 shots.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Rangers have lost five of their last seven games as favorites.
- The Sabres have won four of their last six games as underdogs against the Rangers.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Sabres’ last 11 games at KeyBank Center.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as favorites.
- The Sabres have won the first period in each of their last five games at KeyBank Center.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last eight games between the Rangers and Sabres at KeyBank Center has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Rangers’ last seven games as favorites following a home loss has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 14 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last five games as road favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents at KeyBank Center.
- Tage Thompson has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances in night games at KeyBank Center.
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres’ last 10 games against Eastern Conference opponents at KeyBank Center.
- Zach Benson has recorded two points against the Rangers this season – equal-most against any opponent.
New York Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Vincent Trocheck has scored a goal in four of the Rangers’ last five games as favorites.
- Artemi Panarin has recorded an assist in each of the Rangers’ last seven games as road favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Adam Fox has recorded at least one point in each of the Rangers’ last six games at KeyBank Center.
- Artemi Panarin ranks T1st in the league for multi-goal games (5) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 30th in the league in power play percentage this season (14.46%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 26th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.25).
- The New York Rangers rank 2nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (85.88%).
- The New York Rangers rank T1st in the league for power-play goals against this season (12).
Buffalo Sabres vs NY Rangers Prediction
The NY Rangers are the more talented team and should be favored, but I’m not backing them on the road when they’ve lost 8 of their last 10 games and are getting peppered defensively. The Buffalo Sabres have issues of their own, but they’ve shown flashes here and there before losing 7 straight games. The Sabres lasted the Rangers 6-1 a month ago. These are two teams down on their luck right now. If forced to pick, I’d lean toward the home team and the more favorable price.
