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The New York Rangers and the Buffalo Sabres open their 2023-24 National Hockey League regular seasons Thursday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Sabres odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Rangers lost the 3-game season series to the Sabres in 2022-23, dropping 2 of 3 meetings. None of the matchups were able to be decided in regulation, and 4 straight in the series have needed either overtime or a shootout while 10 of the last 12 in the series have been decided by a single goal. The last time a team won by more than 1 goal in this series was a 3-1 win by the Blueshirts at MSG on April 27, 2021.
The Sabres figure to be much better this season, and they’re looking to snap the league’s longest active postseason drought. Buffalo has failed to make the playoffs in 12 straight seasons, last appearing seeing postseason action in 2010-11.
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Rangers at Sabres odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:52 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Sabres +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+180) | Sabres +1.5 (-225)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Rangers at Sabres projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (37-13-8, 2.48 GAA, .916 SV%, 3 SO – 2022-23) vs. Devon Levi (5-2-0, 2.94 GAA, .905 SV% )
Shesterkin was actually better, statistically, on the road than at home last season. He was 17-4-0 with a 2.36 GAA and .920 SV% in 25 away starts, while going 20-9-0 with a 2.57 GAA and .913 SV% in 33 home appearances. He was 1-0-1 with a sparkling 1.42 GAA and .958 SV% in 2 starts vs. Buffalo.
Levi saw his first NHL action down the stretch last season, and his solid backstop play gave the team’s fans hope for the near future. He faced the Rangers in 2 of his 7 starts, going 2-0-0 with a 1.89 GAA and .934 SV%, allowing just 4 total goals on 61 shots.
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Rangers at Sabres picks and predictions
Prediction
Sabres 3, Rangers 2
Moneyline
The SABRES (+110) are a solid value as short ‘dogs at home with Levi in the blue ice. He shut the Rangers down last season, and Buffalo should be a lot better both on both ends of the ice. Look for the Sabres to get off to a hot start behind a raucous crowd.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Sabres +1.5 (-225) are a little on the pricey side, costing you more than twice your potential return should you decide you need a little insurance and you just cannot play Buffalo straight up.
It’s not a bad play, as 10 of the past 12 in this series have been decided by a single goal, and the past 4 meetings have ended up going to OT or SO. However, this is still quite expensive, so be careful. Personally, it’s too rich for me.
PASS.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (-105) might be the best play on the board. We already know what we have in Shesty, and he was strong against the Sabres last season. While hile the sample size is rather small, when it comes to Levi, he was hard on the Blueshirts down the stretch.
The Under has hit in 3 in a row in this series and is 7-3 across the previous 10 meetings.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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