Expert Picks Tonight: Devils-Sabres Easter Duel Goes UNDER 6.5 Goals

Hop-py Friday everyone. With only one game on the NHL schedule tonight, I've got three expert picks for that duel between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres. 

I've also packaged those three bets together for a same-game parlay tonight if you're interested. 

NHL Expert Picks Tonight: March 29, 2024

New Jersey Devils vs Buffalo Sabres

Both of these sides are on the outside of the playoff picture, but not completely out of it. A win tonight would get the Devils to within three points of the final Wildcard spot. For Buffalo, they'll be six points back. There's motivation for both sides to avoid defeat. 

If you want more betting insights and betting trends for the New Jersey Devils vs Buffalo Sabres game see our matchup page.

Devils vs Sabres Pick 1: UNDER 6.5 (-105)

At home this year, the Sabres are 22-14 (61%) against the UNDER. When the total is 6.5 (like it is tonight) that record is even better at 18-9 (67%). Since Feb 1, the Sabres have the 10th-best defensive record in the league. The message from coaching has been that they need to be better in their own zone. Message received. (Except for that embarrassing first period against Ottawa recently.)

For their part, the Devils are coming into this contest after pumping six goals past the Maple Leafs. Almost clearing the 6.5 total for that game on their own. Not great for our UNDER bet tonight, right? Fair. But there's a funny phenomenon going on with the Devils of late.

The last four times they've hit the OVER, they've failed to do so again in the next game. So with the Sabres tighter defense and the Devils' lack of consistency at hitting the OVER I'm taking the UNDER tonight. 

Devils vs Sabres Pick 2: Luke Hughes O1.5 SOG (-160)

The Devils rookie defensemen might be averaging just over 1.5 shots on net this year (1.6). But he's starting to see a lot more of the puck under coach Travis Green. Over his last ten games, the youngest Hughes brother has hit the OVER on a 1.5 shot line seven times. 

In his last four games, he's obliterated that line twice with six shots on net against the Jets and Islanders. 

Per our shots-on-goal report, the Sabres allow an average of 8.2 shots per game from defensemen. Which is a relatively high number. To me, there's no doubt Hughes gets at least two shots on net.

Devils vs Sabres Pick 3: Rasmus Dahlin O0.5 Points (-140)

Dahlin hasn't scored a point in his last three games. On that alone we know he's due to get his name on the score sheet soon. In his career, the Swedish defenseman has put up 19 points in 20 games against the Devils.

After getting pumped for five goals in the first period against Ottawa the last time out, Dahlin and his squad are going to be motivated to give the home crowd something to cheer for. I like Dahls to get at least one point tonight. 

NHL Same-Game Parlay: Devils vs Sabres

Alright, putting those three picks together gives us the following three-leg same-game parlay tonight. 

All three bets combined give us an SGP with +550 odds.