We’re two days into the NHL schedule, and we’ve already seen some tremendous plays and exciting action. The New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres begin their seasons on Thursday in what is sure to be another great game.
Rangers vs. Sabres Picks
- NHL Pick: Over 6.5 (-110)
Both teams have lofty expectations this season – the Rangers are hoping to get back into the playoffs, while the Sabres are among the popular NHL picks to take a step forward in the competitive Atlantic Division.
Here’s a closer look at the Rangers vs Sabres betting analysis and the odds for tonight’s game. Looking at the NHL standings, we should be in for an exciting affair!
New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds
Rangers vs. Sabres Information
New York Rangers vs Buffalo Sabres
Location of the game: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY.
Date & Time: Thursday, October 12. 7:00 p.m. ET.
How to Watch: ESPN+
Recent Scores
Although they’re expected to be among the top NHL teams this season, the New York Rangers schedule wasn’t very favorable in the preseason. The team went 1-5-0 in six exhibition games with just 12 goals scored and 21 allowed.
Buffalo was a little better in the preseason, finishing with a 3-4 record with 22 goals and 27 against. Zach Benson, a 2023 first-round draft pick, led the Buffalo Sabres stats in the preseason with four goals and three assists. The 18-year-old rookie made the team’s opening night lineup with his impressive play.
New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Analysis
Rangers Hoping Young Players Take Big Steps
New York begins the 2023-24 season without Patrick Kane, who the team acquired last season in an effort to load up for a long playoff run that never occurred. They added former Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler in free agency but are primarily counting on the continued improvement of young players Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko.
Looking at the NHL player stats, Kakko had a solid preseason, scoring a pair of goals in four games, and is poised for a breakout campaign after recording 40 points last season.
Lafreniere, meanwhile, struggled in the exhibition NHL games with just one assist and a minus-4 rating. He was pointless in seven playoff games and had a poor finish to the 2022-23 regular season.
Sabres Relying on Rookie Goaltender
Buffalo has plenty of young talent and, as mentioned, is among the NHL teams poised for a breakout this season. However, they’re placing a lot of trust in Devon Levi, a 21-year-old rookie selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Levi’s preseason was up and down. He had a 19-save shutout in his first start and allowed seven goals on 35 shots in his last start.
Buffalo has two other goalies on its roster: Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen. Both are capable of being quality backups and can start for stretches, but they don’t have the same ceiling as Levi, who the organization sees as the goalie of the future.
Updates
New York has nobody on the NHL injury report, but the Sabres are without Jack Quinn and Casey Mittelstadt. Quinn is out long-term with an Achilles injury, while Mittelstadt is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Rangers vs. Sabres Betting Preview
The Rangers are slight favorites in the Rangers vs Sabres betting analysis. They’re -130 moneyline favorites with a -1.5 (+185) puck line. The Sabres are +110 underdogs with a +1.5 (-225) puck line. The over/under is 6.5.
New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Prediction
Both teams have a lot of offensive firepower, and, considering goalies usually take longer to get adjusted to the pace of the regular season, the over 6.5 (-110) is probably the best bet for the Rangers vs Sabres betting analysis.
- NHL Pick: Over 6.5 (-110)
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