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The New Jersey Devils take on the Buffalo Sabres Friday as part of the NHL Global Series. Puck drop from O2 Arena in Prague is set for 1 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Devils vs. Sabres odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Devils won 2-1 last season
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The Devils enter the season with a new coach, the best goalie they’ve had in years and high expectations. Sheldon Keefe comes over after a stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Devs pulled off a trade for stud goalie Jacob Markstrom from Calgary. With a full season of RW Timo Meier and the return to health for C Jack Hughes and RD Dougie Hamilton, the Devils are in position to make some noise.
The Sabres didn’t do much in the offseason besides add some 4th-line depth. They are banking on the progression of C Tage Thompson and C Dylan Cozens. Thompson scored 29 goals last year, but his season was cut short due to injury. Buffalo has young talent, but they’re not expected to contend in ’24-25.
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Devils vs. Sabres odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:10 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Devils -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Sabres +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Devils -1.5 (+155) | Sabres +1.5 (-190)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Devils vs. Sabres projected goalies
Jacob Markstrom (23-23-2, 2.78 GAA, .905 SV% in ’23-24 with Calgary) vs. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (27-22-4, 2.57 GAA, 910 SV% in ’23-24).
Markstrom is a monster at 6-foot-6 between the pipes. He was one of the best goalies in hockey in ’21-22 with a 2.22 GAA and .922 SV%, but he has fallen off the last couple of years. Now, part of that is the defense in front of him deteriorated. At 34, this is going to be his shot with this young group ready to come of age. He didn’t face Buffalo last year, but he faced it twice in ’22-23. He was pulled after allowing 3 goals on 12 shots in the first meeting and stopped 21 of 23 in a 7-2 victory in the other meeting.
Luukkonen is one of the more underrated goalies in the league. His 2.57 GAA last year ranked 9th in hockey. He also made 9.4 saves above expected, which was middle of the pack among starters. He faced the Devils in relief once last season and allowed 3 goals on 21 shots in 28 minutes of action.
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Devils vs. Sabres picks and predictions
Prediction
Sabres 4, Devils 3
Moneyline
The Sabres went 5-1 in the preseason, and the Devils went 1-5. That means absolutely nothing in the grand scheme, but the Sabres have more continuity. The Devils traded for Meier at the trade deadline last year, and Hughes and Hamilton missed considerable action due to injuries. So they could struggle to find a rhythm.
With all of that in mind, on neutral ice, I look for the SABRES +125 to ride their preseason confidence to victory.
Puck line/Against the spread
Since we’re taking the value on the ML, skip the puck line. I’m targeting DOUGIE HAMILTON OVER 2.5 SHOTS ON GOAL (-140). Hamilton had 3+ SOG in 12 of his 20 games last season. This will be his first action since Nov. 28, and I look for him to be aggressive early.
Over/Under
The Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between these clubs. It may take some time for things to open up, but I expect a lot of power play opportunities and a lot of lamp lighting. These are a couple of younger, energetic teams, and they’ll put on a show.
Take the OVER 6.5 (+100).
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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