The New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres meet Friday in NHL action at the KeyBank Center. Here’s a Sabres vs Devils Prediction. This article will include a Sabres vs Devils Pick.
New Jersey Devils Betting Preview
The New Jersey Devils beat the Red Wings and Blues, and they play the Flyers next. The Devils have split their last 8 games.
The New Jersey Devils are averaging 3.04 goals per game and are scoring 24.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Jack Hughes leads New Jersey with 10 goals, Jesper Bratt has 17 assists and Timo Meier has 75 shots on goal. Defensively, the New Jersey Devils are allowing 3 goals per game and are killing 82.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jacob Markstrom has allowed 37 goals on 294 shots faced, while Jake Allen has given up 29 goals on 316 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres beat the Hurricanes, lost to the Penguins, and they play the Wild next. The Sabres have won 4 of their last 6 games.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.13 goals per game and are scoring 17.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 12 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 15 assists, and Josh Doan has 58 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.43 goals per game and are killing 87.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Alex Lyon has given up 34 goals on 365 shots faced, and Colten Ellis has allowed 17 goals on 163 shots.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won each of their last four games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Devils have lost four of their last five games as road favorites following a win.
- The Devils have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 10 games as favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in 12 of the Devils’ last 13 games.
- The Devils have lost the second period in each of their last five games at KeyBank Center when leading after the first period.
Why the New Jersey Devils will win
- The Sabres have lost each of their last six games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Devils have won each of their last three day games.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Devils have covered the puck line in four of their last five games as road favorites following an overtime win.
- The Devils have won the second period in each of their last seven games as road favorites against Atlantic Division opponents when tied after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Devils’ last six road games following a home win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Sabres’ last eight Friday home games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Nine of the last 10 Friday games at KeyBank Center have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Devils’ last 12 games at KeyBank Center.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 12 day games.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Alex Tuch has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Sabres’ last eight games against the Devils.
- Tage Thompson has scored a goal in each of the Sabres’ last four home games.
- Alex Tuch has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres’ last seven home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Tage Thompson is the only player in the league to have recorded 5+ shots in five or more consecutive appearances this season.
New Jersey Devils Player Prop Facts
- Timo Meier has scored the first goal in each of the Devils’ last four games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Timo Meier has scored a goal in seven of the Devils’ last eight games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Jesper Bratt has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Devils’ last eight games at KeyBank Center.
- Jack Hughes has recorded at least one point in each of his last 14 appearances with the Devils as road favorites.
- Paul Cotter has scored five career goals against the Sabres – most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 2nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (87.88%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 26th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.43).
- The New Jersey Devils rank 7th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.14%).
- The New Jersey Devils rank T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (0).
Sabres vs Devils Prediction
The Sabres have played their best hockey by far at home, and that’s why they’re getting some respect from the betting market. The problem is the Devils are the better team across the board and playing the better hockey currently. The Sabres keep having these games where they can’t defend, and that’s not ideal against a Devils side that’s aggressive with its shot attempts. The price is cheap on both sides. I’ll gladly take the better team at this price. Give me the Devils.