Two of the league’s top offenses are set to square off at KeyBank Center on Friday, as the New Jersey Devils (16-4-0) head to take on the Buffalo Sabres (9-11-0). New Jersey is coming off a 2-1 loss against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, ending a run of 13 wins in a row.
The Devils committed four penalties in the game, though they held Toronto without a power play goal. Dougie Hamilton was the only player to find the net for the Devils. Vitek Vanecek saved only 18 of 20 shots against (.900%) in the loss.
Buffalo beat the Blues 6-2 on Wednesday. Jeff Skinner and Jack Quinn both scored twice for the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was impressive in the win, making 34 saves (.944%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Devils won two of the three games between the teams last season, although the Sabres were 5-2 victors in their final meeting in April. Victor Olofsson led Buffalo with three points (0G 3A). Nikita Okhotiuk and Jesper Boqvist were on the scoresheet for New Jersey. Craig Anderson got the win, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935%).
FACING OFF
New Jersey is averaging 3.70 goals per game for the season, fourth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Sabres team that is allowing 3.50 goals a game (26th). Meanwhile, Buffalo has found the net 3.75 times a game on average, third in the league, and will be looking to break through the Devils’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to 2.30 goals per game (2nd).
New Jersey averages more shots per game (36.3) than most teams in the league, ranking second. Buffalo’s average of 32.3 attempts ranks 12th. The Sabres’ 26.25% power play percentage ranks seventh in the league, while the Devils are 25th with a conversion rate of 18.46%. Buffalo has been less impressive at penalty killing, as the hosts possess the league’s fourth-lowest PK% at 72.73%. New Jersey’s 82.09% ranks sixth in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 24 and 22 points this season, Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier have been the top skaters for the Devils. In the net, Vanecek (9-1-0) is New Jersey’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.14 GAA, third-best in the league, and a .918% save percentage.
Tage Thompson leads the Sabres in scoring with 26 points (8th in the league). He has 13 goals (4th in the league) and 13 assists in 20 games. Anderson (4-3-0) has the best goals against average for Buffalo at 2.71. He has a save percentage of .914%.
Eric Comrie (4-7-0) has played the most games in net for the Sabres this season. He has a 3.62 GAA and a .887% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
New Jersey is pursuing a ninth straight road win this season. Buffalo is 5-6-0 at KeyBank Center this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Buffalo Sabres (+140)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your hockey needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
