The New York Rangers (36-19-9) visit the Buffalo Sabres (32-28-4) Saturday at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Sabres odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Rangers eased by the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in a shootout Thursday, snapping a 2-game skid. New York is still just 3-5-1 across the past 9 games. The Over is an impressive 4-1-1 in the past 6 outings for the Blueshirts.
The Sabres were embarrassed by a 10-4 score at home against the Dallas Stars Thursday. Buffalo has dropped 3 games in a row and 5 of its last 6 outings.
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Rangers at Sabres odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:39 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Sabres +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+150) | Sabres +1.5 (-175)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -130 | U: +110)
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Rangers at Sabres projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (28-11-7, 2.67 GAA, .908 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (15-10-2, 3.61 GAA, .893 SV%)
Shesterkin turned aside 23 of the 26 shots he faced in a 4-3 shootout victory against the Canadiens Thursday. He is 2-1-0 with a 2.90 GAA and .885 SV% across 3 starts in March.
Luukkonen was on the short end of a 3-2 loss at the New York Islanders Tuesday, allowing 3 goals on 39 shots. He has allowed 3 or more goals in 4 straight starts and 6 of his past 7 outings.
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Rangers at Sabres picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 5, Sabres 3
Moneyline
The RANGERS (-145) have to be licking their chops after seeing the Stars hang a 10-spot on the Sabres Thursday.
Buffalo appeared to be getting dangerous toward the end of February, like a team in the process of revving up for a playoff run. However, the Sabres have dropped 5 of their last 6 games and find themselves in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, 6 points out of a playoff spot. The skid has seen Buffalo fall behind other teams giving chase like the Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals.
Puck line/Against the spread
The RANGERS -1.5 (+150) are a risky play, so go with a half-unit play at most. While New York has won 3 of its last 5 games, it has won by 2 or more goals just once during the span. New York is just 1-6 as a favorite on the puck line in its last 10 games.
Still, the Rangers are playing a team that allowed 10 goals last time out, so the opportunity is there for New York to get loose.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (-130) is the play.
The Rangers are 4-1-1 to the Over in their last 6 games and 4-1-1 in the last 6 outings playing on a day of rest.
The Over has cashed in 6 of the past 7 games at home for the Sabres and is 6-2 in their last 8 games against winning teams. The Over is 10-4 in Buffalo’s last 14 games and 18-7-1 in its last 26 against the Metropolitan Division.
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