In this article we will formulate a NY Rangers vs Buffalo Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, November 7th at Madison Square Garden in New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
NY Rangers Betting Preview
The New York Rangers are 8-2-1 this year after they defeated the Islanders by a score of 5-2 in their last game. New York had their lead cut to 3-2 late in the second period, but they scored the only two goals in the third for the win. The Rangers outshot the Islanders by a total of 40-37, won 42.6% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. New York got goals from Edstrom, Kreider, Panarin (2), and Trocheck, while Shesterkin stopped 35 out of 37 shots in the win.
Prior to that game, the Rangers defeated Ottawa by a score of 2-1 but did lose to Washington by a score of 5-3 before that. New York has scored 4.00 goals per game and they have allowed 2.18 goals against per game, while also going 28.1% on the power play and 92.3% on the penalty kill this season. Artemi Panarin has led New York with nine goals, nine assists, and 39 shots on goal, while Igor Shesterkin is 6-2-1 with a 2.22 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 5-7-1 this season after they defeated Ottawa by a score of 5-1 in their last game. Buffalo had their lead cut to 2-1 in the second period, but they scored three goals in the third to pull away for the win. The Sabres were outshot by a total of 38-34, won 43.5% of the face-offs, and went 2-4 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Peterka (2), Thompson, and Byram (2), while UPL stopped 37 out of 38 shots in the game.
Prior to that win, the Sabres lost three straight games against Detroit, New York, and Florida. Buffalo has scored 3.15 goals per game and they have allowed 3.31 goals against per game, while also going 12.8% on the power play and 73.8% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with eight goals, seven assists, and 44 shots on goal, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 4-4-1 with a 2.92 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.
Why the Rangers will beat the Sabres
- The Sabres have lost each of their last 10 road games following a home win.
- The Rangers have won each of their last six games at Madison Square Garden following a home win.
- The Rangers have covered the puck line in nine of their last 11 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Rangers have won the second period in seven of their last eight games as favorites following a home win.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Rangers’ last seven home games against Atlantic Division opponents has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Six of the Sabres’ last seven road games following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Nine of the last 10 Thursday games at Madison Square Garden have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 10 games.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in three of the Rangers’ last four games following a win.
New York Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Alexis Lafreniere has scored a goal in each of the Rangers’ last five games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Artemi Panarin has recorded at least one point in each of the Rangers’ last 10 games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Artemi Panarin has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Rangers’ last eight games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- John-Jason Peterka has scored a goal in four of the Sabres’ last five games against the Rangers.
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one point in nine of the Sabres’ last 10 games.
- Tage Thompson has recorded an assist in seven of the Sabres’ last eight games.
NY Rangers vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction
The Rangers come into this matchup with one of the best records in the NHL to start the season and they are 4-1-1 at home. New York has allowed just 2.18 goals against per game this year and their penalty kill is better than 92%. Buffalo is just 1-3-1 on the road this season and they have lost three of their last four games. The Sabres should be better than what their record shows, but they struggle on the road and I am not taking them to turn it around in this spot. Back the Rangers on the puck line here.