The Buffalo Sabres (23-23-8) visit the New York Rangers (26-22-4) Friday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Sabres-Rangers sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Sabres at Rangers: Projected starting goalies
Carter Hutton vs. Alexander Georgiev
Hutton is expected to get Friday’s start after Jonas Johansson was between the pipes for Thursday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Hutton is 7-9-4 on the season with a .891 save percentage and 3.30 goals against average.
Georgiev comes into Friday 12-10-1 on the season with a .909 SV% and 3.12 GAA. He has been at his worst at home with a .890 SV% and 3.35 GAA.
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Sabres at Rangers: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Rangers 3, Sabres 1
Moneyline (ML)
The Sabres (+155) wrapped up a five-game homestand at 1-3-1 with Thursday’s shootout loss to the lowly Red Wings. They come into Friday 4-5-1 across their last 10 games and with a record of 8-14-4 on the road for the season.
The RANGERS (-189) are heavy favorites, but they’re still a fine play coming off a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday. They’re 6-4-0 across their last 10 games and 15-11-2 at home on the season. The rested Georgiev has a significant advantage in the goaltending matchup.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Side with the RANGERS (-1.5, +140) to beat a tired opponent by at least two goals Friday. New York is 33-19 against the spread overall and 18-10 at home. Buffalo is 30-24 ATS overall and 16-10 on the road. The Rangers claimed a 6-2 win over the Sabres Oct. 24 at MSG in the only head-to-head meeting of the season thus far.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the UNDER 5.5 (+125) as the more profitable play. The tired Sabres haven’t scored more than three goals in six straight games. The Rangers don’t have the offense to be handle to scoring load on their own.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 207-196
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