Buffalo Sabres vs. N.Y. Rangers Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Buffalo Sabres face the New York Rangers with both teams looking to wrap up strong seasons. The Sabres have a 39-32-7 record and with back-to-back wins, they have an outside chance of making a late-season push for the playoffs. The Rangers have a 47-21-12 record and have the third-best record in the Metropolitan Division. Both teams look to end the season in a strong playoff position and the upcoming game looks to be a great one as a result.
Sabres have been led by a great offense
The Sabres are having a great season with their offense leading the way, scoring 3.59 goals per game with 11 goals in the last two games. Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner, and Alex Tuch have scored 114 goals and 128 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. Dylan Cozens, Casey Mittelstadt, and Victor Olofsson have combined for 69 goals and 89 assists while defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power have added 19 goals and 88 assists from the point to put the offense over the top.
The offense has been great but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.64 goals per game. Dahlin and Power have combined for 7.6 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Devon Levi has struggled with a .904 save percentage and a 3.17 goals-against average on 135 shots.
Rangers have been great across the board
The Rangers are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.36 goals per game including 17 goals in the last four games. Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin have scored 65 goals and 113 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has also stepped up. Vincent Trocheck, Chris Kreider, and Filip Chytil have combined for 80 goals and 82 assists while defensemen Adam Fox and K'Andre Miller have added 19 goals and 93 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has been great but the defense has also stepped up, allowing only 2.64 goals per game with only eight goals in the last four games. Fox and Miller have combined for 10.8 defensive point shares and 224 blocked shots while Ryan Lindgren, Jacob Trouba, and Braden Schneider have combined for 12.2 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Igor Shesterkin has been great with a .915 save percentage and a 2.49 goals-against average on 1680 shots with 18.9 goals saved above average.
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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The Sabres are looking to pull off the upset and make a late push for the playoffs but the Rangers are one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and look to control this game from the first period. The Rangers, who average 3.36 goals per game, should pile on the goals with Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with great puck movement. The Rangers, who allow only 2.64 goals per game, should limit the Sabres' offense with Adam Fox, K'Andre Miller, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Igor Shesterkin to make plenty of big saves. The Rangers should win the game and cover the spread in a dominant win on their home ice.
Prediction: Rangers -1.5 (+125)
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Full-Game Total Pick
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Both teams have great offenses and the upcoming game should reflect that with both forward units finding the back of the net throughout the game. The Sabres, who average 3.59 goals per game, should pile on the goals with Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Rangers, who have scored 17 goals in the last four games, should run up the score against the Sabres, who allow 3.64 goals per game, with Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while Adam Fox and K'Andre Miller pick apart the Sabres defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game controlled by both offenses.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.
Prediction: Over 6.5
Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.
