An NHL Game Day Preview between the New Jersey Devils Vs Buffalo Sabres – StatementGames alternative Fantasy Hockey, play for FREE and WIN CASH Rewards.
When: 1:00 PM EST, January 31, 2021
Where: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
TV: NHLN
Puckline: Devils +1.5 / -175 | Sabres -1.5 / +145
Moneyline: Devils +130 | Sabres -155
OVER/UNDER Game Total: 5.5
New Jersey Devils
Record: 3-3-0-2
Road Record: 1-1-0-1
PL: 5-3
Buffalo Sabres
Record: 4-3-1-1
Home Record: 2-2-1-0
PL: 2-7
New Jersey Devils Vs Buffalo Sabres Game Day Preview
What a good Hockey game yesterday! The initial battle between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres had a little of everything. The dispute was eventually settled in a OT shootout.
Despite loosing in the shootout – the Devils looked good while the Sabres extended their point streak to five games. These two teams face off once again today.
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey earned five points from its first three games and was 3-1-1 after five. However, they have allowed 11 regulation goals during the recent 0-2-1 rut that has followed. The fact that the Devils are 1-for-10 on the power play in the last three, has compounded the loosing. That one goal came over five chances — including a 5-on-3 — Saturday.
“The common theme is that we’ve missed too many of these good opportunities,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said of his young team, which has totaled four goals on 68 shots in the last two games.
“We’re just going to continue to work at it. … It’s training under fire.”
In looking as some positives, rookie defenseman Ty Smith has been strong. He has recorded seven points through the first eight games of his career.
Teammate Kyle Palmieri, who has scored at least 24 goals in each of the last five seasons, remains without a goal in 2020-21. It’s the longest opening stretch his gone without a goal in his 11-year career.
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo went 1-3-0 to open the 2021 NHL season but is 3-0-2 since. After falling 3-2 to the New York Rangers in OT on Thursday, the Sabres rebounded with a 4-3 shootout win over New Jersey.
“There is a trust the process here, which is going through the group,” coach Ralph Krueger told the Sabres’ official website. “We feel very comfortable with where we are right now. The bumps and bruises are always tests of your mettle, and your character and the reactions,” he said.
Victor Olofsson netted his fourth goal of the season and extended his point streak to five games. He has four goals and five points in three career contests against the Devils.
Ex-Devil Taylor Hall recorded two assists on Saturday in his first game against his former team since New Jersey traded him to Arizona in December 2019. Hall has three assists in two games after going four straight without a point.
Buffalo’s Linus Ullmark stopped 31 shots while making his fifth consecutive start on Saturday. He has a .916 save percentage in those five games, Carter Hutton is expected to get the start today.
Carter Hutton (1-2-0, 2.65 GAA) recently returned to the club after he was injured during a collision at Philadelphia on the 19th of January.
Devils Vs Sabres Facts
- Devils are 1-4 in their last 5 overall.
- Sabres are 4-0 in their last 4 games as a home favorite.
- Devils are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in Buffalo.
New Jersey Devils Vs Buffalo Sabres Alternative Fantasy Hockey-Statement Games Picks
Devils 3 Sabres 2 (OT Again!)
10 PT Pick: Total Shots OVER 59.5
9 PT Pick: Rasmus Ristolainen Will Play OVER 23:45 MINUTES
8 PT Pick: P.K. Subban Will Play OVER 24.20 MINUTES
Play Fantasy Hockey
Also Available In the Apple & Google Play Store