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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.
*PuckLuck.com provides data related to gambling and cannot guarantee the success of any suggested or related wagers. Please gamble responsibly.*