Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Sabres vs Devils NHL Odds
Looking for Buffalo Sabres vs. New Jersey Devils free hockey plays & NHL Odds? NHL betting sees the Sabres taking on the Devils on Tuesday February 23rd at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey games all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions like this Sabres Devils matchup.
NHL Handicapping Analysis
(5-7-2) Buffalo Sabres vs. New Jersey Devils (6-5-2)
Date: Tuesday, February 23rd
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Prudential Center, Newark NJ
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Sabres -105| Devils -115
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: Devils -1.5 (+180)
NHL Betting Total: 5.5
Something has to give when the two bottom feeders of the East meet up on Tuesday night. Buffalo has just 12 points on the season, 2nd fewest in the NHL. New Jersey has netted just 14 on the year though.
Both teams are playing a little better as of late – by their standards. They have each gone 4-5-1 over the last 10 and the Sabres haven’t been bad on the road with a 3-3-1 record. New Jersey is 2-3-1 at home.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres have taken two of three from the Devils this season, with their 3-2 win on Saturday being a big one as it snapped a 4-game losing streak. Buffalo won that as +119 underdogs, and look to repeat that feat on Tuesday.
Buffalo also scored a 4-3 SO win at home back on January 30th. They showed a lack of goaltending depth the next night though, falling 5-2 to the Devils. Buffalo is also on the back to back Tuesday night though.
The Sabres dropped a tough one on Monday, falling 3-2 to the Islanders after giving up a Jean Gabriel Pageu power play goal with less than 5 minutes left. Linus Ullmark allowed 3 goals, but on a mere 23 shots for an .870 save percentage.
It was Carter Hutton who got the start in the January 31st loss to the Devils, so will he get the nod with Buffalo being on 0 days rest again? If so, that gives the Devils an edge as Hutton is 1-4 on the year with a sub .900% save percentage.
New Jersey Devils
One of New Jersey’s biggest edges for Tuesday night’s game is rest, as they’ve had the standard night off after a 4-3 loss to the Capitals on Sunday. That came on the back-to-back too after the defeat to Buffalo on Saturday.
The Devils are at home as well, but are also playing not too bad as of late. New Jersey had put together a three game win streak, the last two coming off a two week break for COVID postponements. Jack Hughes has also scored in three straight.
If Hutton goes in net for Buffalo, you would think the Devils also have a huge goaltending advantage in this matchup. Mackenzie Blackwood allowed 2 goals in both of his 2 starts since returning from injury and is 4-1 this year.
Blackwood did give up 3 scores to Buffalo on Saturday, although one was a Sam Reinhart score on the power play. New Jersey is still a fairly respectable 13th in goals allowed, despite being bottom 3 in shots against and penalty kill.
NHL Betting Trends:
- Sabres are 1-4 in their last 5 overall.
- Under is 4-0 in Sabres last 4 overall.
- Devils are 2-5 in their last 7 home games.
- Under is 5-1 in Devils last 6 home games.
- Sabres are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings in New Jersey.
- Sabres are 4-1 in the last 5 h2h meetings
Free Buffalo Sabres vs. New Jersey Devils NHL Prediction:
It’s a couple of bad teams taking the ice so anything can happen. Buffalo has taken two of three in the series this year, with their lone loss being on a back-to-back.
Unfortunately Buffalo finds themselves on 0 days rest again on Tuesday. The Sabres burned up Ullmark on Monday and he’s either going to sit – or be playing fatigued. The Devils offense isn’t great, but that’s a big edge.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Devils -115
Blackwood seems to be rounding into form in net for New Jersey and he is a huge X-factor here.
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