NHL Betting Picks, Odds, And Preview: New York Rangers vs Buffalo Sabres

The New York Rangers are making some headway despite an impending lost season. They will aim for their fifth win in six games on Friday when they host the Buffalo Sabres inside the Madison Square Garden in downtown Manhattan.

The Rangers are second to the last in the Metropolitan Division with 26-22-4, just above New Jersey which carries 19-24-10.

Their status is not really diverse to that of the Sabres. Like New York, Buffalo is also in the midst of a mediocre season as the team is trailing significantly in the Atlantic Division with a 23-23-8 register.

Based on the updated NHL Odds, the Rangers are most probably to win this match that is expected to be tight from start to finish.

New York Rangers

The Rangers are expected to be busy as the NHL trade deadline approaches. With their season technically just waiting to be wrapped up, the Rangers could start their bounce-back campaign by acquiring pieces they could rely on moving forward.

Chris Weider, who is said to be on the trading block, continues to keep his focus despite the distractions and even an injury scare on Saturday. He missed Monday’s game against Dallas which the Rangers lost, 5-3, but immediately returned on Wednesday to help the team win over Toronto, 5-3. In that game, he scored his seventh goal of the last 10 games and 19th overall.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres got tripped by the Red Wings in a shootout on Thursday, 4-3. That left Buffalo with a lone victory in its last six games, 1-4-1. To make things worse, the latest defeat was handed by Detroit that had been winless in its last nine prior to the match.

One obvious factor that led to the stunning loss was Jack Eichel’s off night. The club’s leader in goals and points was surprisingly held scoreless in the game after tallying four points in his last four games. Goalie Jonas Johansson made a good account of himself in his first career start, notching 18 saves against Detroit.

Odds and Trends

The Rangers are priced with -180 as favorites in the match winner market while the Sabres are offered at +160.

The Rangers are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Atlantic and 4-1 in their last 5 games as a favorite.

The Sabres are 5-0 in their last 5 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation and 20-42 in their last 62 Friday games.

Over is 10-1-1 in Rangers last 12 games playing on 1-day rest and 3-1-1 in Sabres last 5 in the third game of a 3-in-4 days situation.

Under is 4-1-1 in Rangers last 6 vs. Eastern Conference and 3-1-2 in Sabres last 6 games as an underdog.

Prediction

Rangers 3, Sabres 2