The Buffalo Sabres (39-32-7) travel to meet the New York Rangers (47-21-12) Monday. Puck drop from Madison Square Garden is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Sabres vs. Rangers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Sabres remain mathematically alive for the final Wild-Card spot in the Eastern Conference, sitting 6 points back with 4 games remaining in the regular season. Buffalo needs help, and it cannot afford any additional losses.
The Rangers are 3 points out of 1st place in the Metropolitan Division behind the Carolina Hurricanes (109 points), with the Canes holding a game in hand on the Rangers and the 2nd-place New Jersey Devils (108 points).
New York posted a 4-0 win on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday, and it is 3-0-1 in the last 4 games overall.
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Sabres at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:47 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Sabres +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Rangers -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Sabres +1.5 (-150) | Rangers -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Sabres at Rangers projected goalies
Devon Levi (3-1-0, 3.17 GAA, .904 SV%) vs. Igor Shesterkin (37-13-7, 2.49 GAA, .915 SV%, 3 SO)
Levi is quickly becoming a fan favorite. The prospect has drawn comparisons to former Sabres backstop Ryan Miller, going from top goalie prospect after a great collegiate career, to goalie in the heat of a playoff spot chase. He has allowed 3 or fewer goals on 3 of his 4 starts since turning pro.
Shesterkin turned aside 20 shots for his 3rd shutout of the season in Columbus last time out on Saturday. Since flipping the calendar from March to April, Shesty is 3-0-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .937 SV% with a shutout.
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Sabres at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 3, Sabres 1
Moneyline
The Rangers (-200) will cost you 2 times your potential return, and that’s just too steep of a price tag for a singular bet. The Sabres (+165) are still technically alive for a postseason spot, but it’s an uphill climb against the red-hot Shesterkin.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The RANGERS -1.5 (+125) are a much better play at plus-money on the puck line.
New York has won 3 of the last 4 games in regulation, while winning each of the games by 3 or more goals. It did lose 3-2 in OT at Buffalo in the most recent meeting March 31, and the Rangers won just 2-1, also in OT, in the most recent meeting prior to that on March 11, so be careful.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (+100) is the best play on the board, especially at even-money.
While the Over has dominated for the Sabres lately, going 8-3-2 in the last 13 games, the Under is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings with the Rangers.
The Under is also 18-7-2 in the last 27 games for the Rangers against the Atlantic Division, while going 6-1-1 in the last 8 games when playing on a day of rest.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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