The Buffalo Sabres are still clinging onto their playoff hopes as we head into the final three games of the regular season. Can they stay in the hunt?
The Buffalo Sabres, for the first time in 12 years of frustration, are threatening 90 points, have won 40 games, and remain in the playoff hunt 80 games into the regular season. They also have four players who have scored 30-plus goals, and four rookies poised to be with the team for a long time.
Yeah, when you break it down, it’s been an impressive campaign, playoffs or not. But if there’s still a chance, then why not keep playing playoff hockey as the regular season winds down?
And that’s what you will see tonight against a tough New Jersey Devils team. Can Buffalo get it done? Here are the odds and a subsequent prediction.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Devils Odds – Game 80
Per Fan Duel, the Buffalo Sabres are +1.5 underdogs on the road against the Devils. The Over/Under is 6.5, and the Sabres moneyline is +180. The Devils moneyline is -220.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Devils Prediction – Game 80
There is no secret that we are going to see yet another tough outing. And coming off of a big win the night before, can the Sabres enjoy a repeat performance?
If they want to bring this race down to the final two games of the season, they don’t have a choice. And over the past few contests, the Blue and Gold have at least shown they can handle the pressure.
But New Jersey is also facing their own sense of urgency. Heading into their 81st game of the season, the Devils are just one point away from taking the lead in the Metropolitan, which will allow them to face one of the two wild card teams in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoff.
The good news for the Sabres? New Jersey’s division rival, the New York Rangers, faced the same situation last night, as they mathematically were still in the hunt to take the Metro, themselves.
If Buffalo plays the same brand of hockey they’ve been playing, then absolutely, they can take it. But if the play the way they did throughout the second period last night, they will have a tough time in this one.
(Game odds update regularly and are subject to change)