In this article we will formulate a Devils vs Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, February 25th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
New Jersey Devils Betting Preview
The New Jersey Devils are 28-27-2 this season after they lost to the Islanders by a score of 3-1 in their last game. New Jersey tied the game at one in the second period, but they allowed two goals in the third for the loss. The Devils out shot New York by a total of 24-14, won 32.7% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. New Jersey got their lone goal from Hischier, while Allen stopped 11 out of 13 shots, which was an .846 save percentage.
Prior to that game, New Jersey lost to the Blue Jackets by a score of 3-0 and the Senators by a score of 4-1. The Devils have scored 2.51 goals per game and they have allowed 3.07 goals against per game, while also going 20.8% on the power play and 79.0% on the penalty kill this season. Nico Hischier has led New Jersey with 19 goals and 23 assists, while Jesper Bratt has added 13 goals and 28 assists. The projected starting goalie for New Jersey is Jacob Markstrom, who is 15-13-1 with a 3.20 goals against average and an .882 save percentage this season.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 32-19-6 this year after they lost to Pittsburgh by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Buffalo cut the deficit to 3-2 in the third period, but they allowed the last two goals to seal the loss. The Sabres were out shot by a total of 32-27, won 54.5% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Thompson and Zucker, while Lyon stopped 27 out of 31 shots, which was an .871 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Buffalo lost to the Lightning by a score of 4-3, but did beat the Panthers by a score of 5-3 before that. The Sabres have lost three of their last four games and they are currently fourth in the Atlantic standings with 70 points. Buffalo has scored 3.37 goals per game and they have allowed 3.09 goals against per game, while also going 20.1% on the power play and 82.5% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 30 goals and 29 assists, while Alex Tuch has added 22 goals and 26 assists. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is 11-7-2 with a 2.73 goals against average and a .903 save percentage this year.
Why the New Jersey Devils will win
- The Devils have won eight of their last nine games against the Sabres following a loss.
- The Sabres have lost each of their last five games at Prudential Center following a home loss.
- The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the Devils’ last three games.
- The Sabres have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Devils have lost each of their last nine games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Sabres have won nine of their last 11 games as underdogs.
- The Devils have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 18 night games at Prudential Center.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last 11 games as underdogs.
- The Devils have lost the second period in eight of their last nine games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last seven games against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Eight of the Devils’ last nine games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Eight of the last nine Wednesday night games between teams from the same conference have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last seven games as underdogs.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Devils’ last six games against Eastern Conference opponents.
New Jersey Devils Player Prop Facts
- Nico Hischier has scored the last goal in each of the Devils’ last three games as home favorites.
- Dawson Mercer has recorded an assist in each of the Devils’ last four games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Nico Hischier has scored at least one goal in each of the Devils’ last four games as home favorites.
- Johnathan Kovacevic has recorded at least four shots in each of his last zero appearances – [longest/equal-longest] active streak in the league.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Jason Zucker has scored at least one goal in four of his last five road appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last six games.
- Mattias Samuelsson has recorded at least four shots in each of his last zero appearances – [longest/equal-longest] active streak in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The New Jersey Devils rank 31st in the league for goals per game this season (2.51).
- The New Jersey Devils have recorded the most wins when trailing after Period 1 this season (8).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 7th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (82.47%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 8th in the league for goals per game this season (3.37).
Devils vs Sabres Prediction
New Jersey comes into this matchup on a three game losing streak and they have scored a total of two goals in those three games. The Devils are 13-12-2 at home this year, while the Sabres are 15-11-3 on the road. Buffalo has dropped three of their last four games and they have allowed at least four goals in all three of those losses. Neither team went into the Olympic break playing very well, but Buffalo has been the much better team this season. Take the Sabres to get another win here.