Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri, and the New Jersey Devils will face off against Sam Reinhart, Jack Eichel, and the Buffalo Sabres at the KeyBank Center for an Eastern Conference matchup. The action will get going at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, December 2, and you can catch it live on MSG Network.
New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds
The Sabres (-135) are currently favored over the Devils (+115), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 for the over, +100 for the under).
Buffalo is 12-15 straight up (SU) and has recorded -1.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to what the team managed during the 2018-19 season (33-49). 14 of its 27 contests have gone under the total, while 13 have gone over and none have pushed. The team is 7-6 SU at home this season.
The Sabres have converted on 17.6 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 27th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 74.7 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 30.5 saves per game with a .911 save percentage, Linus Ullmark (6-7-2) has been the top option in goal for Buffalo this year. If Buffalo decides to give him the night off, however, the team may turn to Carter Hutton (6-8-8 record, .908 save percentage, 2.84 goals against average).
New Jersey has lost 7.8 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 9-16 straight up (SU). Through 25 regular season outings, 13 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As the away team, the Devils are 5-6 SU so far.
The Devils have converted on just 12.9 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 22nd overall and it’s successfully defended 77.4 percent of all penalties.
MacKenzie Blackwood (.898 save percentage and 3.12 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Blackwood is averaging 26.4 saves per game and has eight wins, 10 losses, and three OT losses to his credit.
New Jersey Devils at Buffalo Sabres Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The Devils are 1-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Sabres are 1-1 in shootouts.
- For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their last five outings.
- Buffalo’s attempted 31.1 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 19th in the NHL), and 32.6 over their last 10 outings.
- Over New Jersey’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-4 in those games).
- New Jersey skaters recorded 23.5 hits per game last season, while the Sabres posted 19.1 hits per contest.
