Buffalo Sabres at New York Rangers odds, picks and prediction
The Buffalo Sabres (13-29-7) play the second contest of a two-game set against the New York Rangers (25-18-6) Tuesday with a 7 p.m. ET puck drop at Madison Square Garden. Below, we analyze the Sabres-Rangers odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Sabres were dropped 6-3 in the front end of the back-to-back, but they have still averaged 4.5 goals per game across the past two, and they have cashed the Over in three consecutive outings.
The Rangers have won two straight, and six of the past eight games overall. They're averaging 3.9 goals per game across the eight-game span, and they're allowing 3.2 goals per game over the previous six outings.
Sabres at Rangers: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line : Sabres +250 (bet $100 to win $250) | Rangers -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS : Sabres +1.5 (+100) | Rangers -1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under : 6 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Sabres at Rangers: Projected starting goalies
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1-0-0, 4.03 GAA, .904 SV%) vs. Igor Shesterkin (14-11-3, 2.47 GAA, .919 SV%, 2 SO)
Luukkonen was decent in his first NHL start Friday against the Boston Bruins, making 36 saves in a 6-4 win. With Dustin Tokarski struggling, and both Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark on the shelf, the rookie will be playing for a future role.
Shesterkin allowed three goals on 34 shots in a 6-3 win Sunday against the Sabres, and he has won four of his past six starts, including a pair of shutouts against the New Jersey Devils April 13-15. He is 4-0-1 with a 2.12 GAA and .919 SV% in five starts against Buffalo this season.
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Sabres at Rangers: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Rangers 5, Sabres 2
Money line (ML)
The Rangers (-300) will cost you three times your potential return, and that's just a little too expensive.
AVOID, and look to the puck line instead.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The RANGERS -1.5 (-120) is a much more economical play laying the goal and a half. They doubled up the Sabres +1.5 (+100) last time out, and each of New York's past eight victories has been by two or more goals. So if you like the Rangers to win, they're a good play on the puck line, too.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 6 (-120) is the way to go. The Over connected in the front end of the double-dip, and four of the previous six for the Blueshirts.
The Over has also hit in three in a row for the Sabres, as they have allowed 5.0 goals per game during the three-game span.
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