Sabres vs. Devils: Projected Lines, Betting Odds, How to Watch & More 3/29/24

The Buffalo Sabres [34-34-5] take on the New Jersey Devils [36-33-4] at home Friday night. The Sabres are coming off a disappointing performance against the Senators and will look to put on a much better show for their home crowd. The Devils have won two straight and sit five points out of a playoff spot.

Must Read: ‘Disappointing’ First Period Leads to 6-2 Sabres Loss to Senators

How to Watch

Gametime: 7:00 p.m. ET

Location: KeyBank Center (Buffalo, NY)

TV: NHLN; SN1; MSG (Buffalo); MSGSN (New Jersey)

Stream: MSG+

Radio: WGR550

The Sabres

Devon Levi has earned the start tonight after his quality performance in relief of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on Wednesday. Levi has been the top-graded player in his last two appearances for the Sabres, suggesting that his stint in the AHL helped him regain confidence.

Latest Sabres Grades: Luukkonen, Levi Polar Opposites

As for the team in front of Levi, practice yesterday hinted at an Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin top pair on the blueline. Power has struggled with Henri Jokiharju recently against the top opposing forwards, so head coach Don Granato is likely looking for a boost for his young defenseman.

Bowen Byram’s play has also tailed off after bursting onto the scene with his new club. He’ll play on the left side with Jokiharju to test how well the new pair meshes.

The Devils

New Jersey held an optional skate Friday morning after both Hughes brothers, Jack and Luke, were held out of practice for maintenance Thursday. Both are expected to play.

The Devils’ goaltending tandem is completely revamped from their previous meeting against the Sabres. Jake Allen will start Friday, with Kaapo Kahkonen as the backup. Both goalies were trade deadline acquisitions for the club.

Per Evolving-Hockey Allen has 3.87 goals saved above expected since joining the Devils, while Kahkonen has 1.77. The positive goaltending performance is a welcome addition to an underperforming team.

Injury Report

Buffalo

• Lukas Rousek (Face) Day-to-Day
• Mattias Samuelsson (Upper Body) Out For Season [IR]

New Jersey

• Kurtis MacDermid (Lower Body) Day-to-Day
• Nathan Bastian (Lower Body) Out [IR]
• Jonas Siegenthaler (Concussion) Out
• Nolan Foote (Undisclosed) Out
• Cal Foote (Personal) Out [IR]
• Michael McLeod (Personal) Out [IR]
• Dougie Hamilton (Pectoral) Out [IR]

Projected Lines

Buffalo Sabres

JJ Peterka – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch

Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn

Jeff Skinner – Peyton Krebs – Jordan Greenway

Eric Robinson – Zemgus Girgensons – Victor Olofsson

Owen Power – Rasmus Dahlin

Bowen Byram – Henri Jokiharju

Jacob Bryson – Kale Clague

Devon Levi (Confirmed)

Lineup Source: Lance Lysowski, The Buffalo News

Goalie Source: Lance Lysowski, The Buffalo News

New Jersey Devils

Jack Hughes – Erik Haula – Alex Holtz

Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Jesper Bratt

Ondrej Palat – Tomas Nosek – Dawson Mercer

Max Willman – Chris Tierney – Curtis Lazar

Kevin Bahl – John Marino

Luke Hughes – Nick DeSimone

Brendan Smith – Simon Nemec

Jake Allen (Confirmed)

Lineup Source: Projected

Goalie Source: Amanda Stein, NJ Devils

Betting Odds Breakdown

The Sabres are home underdogs against the Devils tonight. The PuckLuck model has the game as a coin-flip, creating a slight betting on the Sabres.

The stronger play tonight is the under – especially with the improved goaltending of the Devils and how Levi’s played since his call-up. The game total is set at 6.5, close to even-money. With a projection of under six combined goals, there’s room to work with.

For more betting analysis across the NHL, head over to PuckLuck.com.

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