The New Jersey Devils (-200) play host to the Buffalo Sabres (+170), who will be out to extend their winning streak, at Prudential Center on Tuesday. The total is 7 (O: +100, U: -120)Buffalo (40-32-7) is playing on back-to-back days after earning a 3-2 shootout win over the Rangers yesterday, their third consecutive win.
The Sabres committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. JJ Peterka and Casey Mittelstadt each scored once for the Sabres. Devon Levi had a great performance with 26 saves (.928%) in the win. New Jersey (50-22-8) fell 2-1 to the Bruins on Saturday. Jesper Bratt was the only player to score for the Devils. MacKenzie Blackwood saved 38 of 40 shots (.950%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have split their two meetings this season, the most recent of which was a 5-4 victory for the Sabres in March. Alex Tuch led Buffalo with three points (2G 1A). Jack Hughes led New Jersey with three points (2G 1A). Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got the win despite allowing four goals on 31 shots (.870%).
FACING OFF
Buffalo is averaging 3.57 goals per game for the season, fourth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Devils team that is allowing 2.70 goals a game (8th). Meanwhile, New Jersey has found the net 3.48 times a game on average, sixth in the league, and the Sabres are allowing opponents to score 3.62 goals per game (25th).
New Jersey averages more shots (34.4) than most teams in the league, ranking fourth. With an average of 32.4 attempts, Buffalo ranks 10th. The Sabres’ 23.66% power play percentage ranks seventh in the league, while the Devils are 15th with a conversion rate of 21.36%.
While strong on the power play, Buffalo has been less impressive at penalty killing, as the away team possesses the league’s fourth-lowest PK% at 72.73%. New Jersey’s 82.38% ranks eighth in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 93 points this season, Tage Thompson is the top skater for the Sabres. He is among the league leaders with 46 goals (6th) and has added 47 assists. In the net, Craig Anderson (10-11-2) is Buffalo’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 3.07 GAA and a .908% save percentage. Luukkonen (17-11-4) leads the Sabres in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.61 and a save percentage of .891%.Hughes leads the Devils in scoring with 96 points.
He has 42 goals (8th) and 54 assists in 76 games. Vitek Vanecek (32-11-4) is the top goalie for New Jersey with a goals against average of 2.46. He has a save percentage of .910%.
HOME AND AWAY
Buffalo is 24-12-3 away from home this season. New Jersey has won four straight at home this season. Meanwhile, the Sabres are 5-8 without a day off and 4-5 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Devils are 4-3 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
NJ Devils (-250)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
