At the beginning of the season, the Devils have been a surprise winner. New Jersey has overcome subpar metrics for a promising start. Doubts about the Devils and sustainability remain. New Jersey is using an old-fashioned recipe for their NHL betting odds success. Defense and goaltending have been their ticket thus far. Of great concern is their lack of goal scoring and depth. Buffalo is struggling on both ends of the ice. Inconsistency has continued to plague the Sabres for several seasons. Defense, penalty killing, and goaltending remain liabilities. Buffalo hosts New Jersey Saturday afternoon.
New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres NHL Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, January 30, 2021, 1 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York |
| Devils at Sabres TV Coverage: | NHL Network |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devils | +1½ (-185) | 5½ (-120) | +130 |  |
| Sabres | -1½ (+160) | 5½ (EV) | -150 | |
| ||||
New Jersey Devils at Buffalo Sabres SBG Odds Overview
Owing to the shortcomings of both teams, New Jersey may draw sportsbook activity. Cause by their recent form. Gamblers are increasingly frustrated with Buffalo’s perpetual problems. Improvement never seems to show.
New Jersey Devils Team Overview
New Jersey is 3-1-1 with 1-4 under the total. Overall, the Devils rank 28th for goal scoring and 11th for goals allowed. Special teams are a New Jersey work in progress. To show, the Devils rank 26th for the power play and 31st for penalty killing.
So how is a team with such low metrics winning games? Goaltending is the answer. Mackenzie Blackwood has a .948 save percentage and 1.90 goals-against average. While Scott Wedgewood has a .963 save percentage and 2.00 Goals against average. Center Jack Hughes and left wing Miles Wood have three goals each. And then Hughes has a +3 with Wood at +4.
Buffalo Sabres Team Overview
Now Buffalo has flopped out of the gate with a 2-3-1 record. Over the total has paid in four of six games. NHL metrics have the Sabres 17th for goal scoring and 17th for goals against. Special teams show Buffalo at 10th for the power play and 27th for penalty killing.
Goaltender Linus Ullmark brings a save percentage of .905 and 2.55 goals-against average. In comparison, Carter Hutton’s save percentage is .899 with a 2.65 goals-against average. Center Jack Eichel hasn’t scored a goal but brings seven assists. Right-wing Victor Olofsson adds three goals and two assists.
New Jersey Devils at Buffalo Sabres Betting Trends
New Jersey has lost six of their last ten away games
The Devils have gone under the total in seven of their last nine road games
Buffalo has won five of their last eight home games
The Sabres have gone over the total in just three of their last nine at home
New Jersey Devils at Buffalo Sabres Head-to-Head vs. Spread
Buffalo has won four of their last seven games with New Jersey
Five of the last eight between these teams went over the total
Buffalo has won three in a row over the Devils at home
These teams cleared the total in four of their last five meetings at Buffalo
New Jersey Devils at Buffalo Sabres at SBG Free Picks
In this situation, the Devils will continue to attempt to defy gravity. New Jersey can’t continue to beat the NHL betting odds without reliable goal scoring. Buffalo’s weak start will give them a lower price.
Devils at Sabres SBG Best Bet: Buffalo Sabres.