The Buffalo Sabres are coming off of yet another poorly played game, and things get no easier in tonight’s matchup against the New Jersey Devils.
Over the past three and a half weeks, it’s been nothing but doom and gloom for the Buffalo Sabres. And by doom and gloom, the Blue and Gold have played so poorly that you could probably make the case that the 2014-15 incarnation of the team would give them a run.
But ironically enough, this is the same Sabres team that, through the first 58 games of the season, at least looked like a wild card contender. In fact, they even held the WC2 spot on different occasions.
That team is still in there somewhere, beneath the veil of the demoralized unit they’ve become over the past few weeks. So will they revert back to their high-octane ways that would score just enough to defeat a tough opponent like the New Jersey Devils? Let’s look at the odds and make a prediction.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Devils Odds – Game 71
Per Fan Duel, the Buffalo Sabres are +1.5 underdogs at home against the Devils. The Over/Under is 6.5, and the Sabres moneyline is +158. The Devils moneyline is -192.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Devils Prediction – Game 71
In my previous position, I went bold and botched it completely. So tonight, I’m predicting the exact opposite because let’s be honest: The Sabres have given us no reason to think otherwise.
Until this team improves defensively, starts taking shots on net when available, and stops overcomplicating things, it’s impossible to predict a win. On the other end of the spectrum, the Devils have been one of the league’s better teams, and they are currently second in the Metropolitan with 98 points.
Overall, if the Sabres play the way they’ve been playing lately, and we have no reason to believe otherwise, this will be nothing short of a blowout loss. Maybe Buffalo will keep the score respectable, but they probably won’t.
(Game odds update regularly and are subject to change)