Rangers vs. Sabres Odds
| Rangers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +184 | 6.5 -114o / -106u | -125 |
| Sabres Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -225 | 6.5 -114o / -106u | +104 |
Buffalo will kick off its most highly anticipated season in years with a home opener versus New York on Thursday. The time is now for the Sabres' young core to begin paying off expectations, and oddsmakers have given them a 50/50 shot to make the postseason.
The Rangers' expectations are still much higher due to the combination of a top-10 defensive core and arguably the world's best goaltender. They are priced as the seventh favorite to win the cup at +1300, and -450 to make the playoffs.
New York Rangers
The high floor of the Rangers comes from a deep defensive core headlined by Adam Fox, and worthy Vezina Trophy favorite Igor Shesterkin. Fox and Ryan Lindgren should compose a rock-solid top pairing. K'Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba make up a strong second unit, which will be zero fun for opponents. Erik Gustafsson and Braden Schneider have the upside to be one of the better third-defensive pairs in the NHL.
Those are the likely strengths, but there are some valid concerns among the offensive core. When compared to other cup-contending Eastern Conference sides, it is now fair to think the Rangers forward group does not inspire much confidence. Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad are stars. However, my confidence in how they stack up versus other contenders' superstars this season is limited.
A key to the Rangers showing as a true cup contender will be Kaapo Kakko (second overall, 2019) and/or Alexis Lafreniere (first overall, 2020) paying off their draft positions.
Kakko has not yet paid off to this point. Reviews of his play in the preseason were strong, however, and he did produce two goals in four outings.
Igor Shesterkin re-enforced the idea that he is the best goaltender alive with his play last season. He posted a +28.1 GSAx and .916 save % in 58 appearances. He was particularly strong in the playoffs versus New Jersey with a .931 save % and +8.8 GSAx.
Shesterkin will start against the Sabres on Thursday night.
The Rangers' implied probability of making the playoffs by oddsmakers is 81.8%. My belief is that mark is a little high in a crowded East, and that New York is slightly overvalued in the futures markets ahead of the season.
If you are hunting a futures play involving the Rangers, backing Shesterkin to win the Vezina at +600 would be my suggestion.
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo is one of the sides vying to shake up the Eastern Conference playoff picture and squeeze out proven rosters such as the Rangers. The Sabres can be viewed as a relatively volatile team that should again be one of the leagues most exciting to watch.
Buffalo's goaltending situation could be the greatest swing point in terms of how you view them as a side this season. Highly touted 21-year-old Devon Levi will be given full opportunity to run with the starters. Last season, he was strong in a small sample of seven games with a +3.1 GSAx and .905 save %, but that kind of success over the entirety of an NHL schedule is not a given. Levi is expected to get the start in this matchup.
Buffalo should fill the cage effectively once again this season and be a top-third team in terms of goal production. Concerns regarding the Sabers' potential to steal a playoff berth should come down to how effectively they can reduce the amount of goals against.
Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner make up a top line that can score with the best of them, but it is not as sharp defensively as other top units. There is some legitimate scoring depth beyond that with names like Dylan Cozens, Victor Olofsson, J.J. Peterka and even rookie Zach Benson.
Benson's presence in the lineup at age 18 is notable. He dropped to 13th overall in last year's stacked entry draft, which appeared silly at the time, and it looks a whole lot worse a few months later as he makes the team at 18.
Whether or not Benson sticks past nine games and burns a year of his contract remains to be seen. His upside to be a legitimate scorer at the NHL level is real, however, and he has a spot on the second powerplay and third unit to start.
Rangers vs. Sabres
Betting Pick & Prediction
From a sides perspective, this game looks to be priced right in most places. If the Sabres tick up to +115, they would become a small play for me and are the side closer to holding value.
Reaching for picks on sides in the early going of the NHL season is not exactly my cup of tea, however, and the Sabres are a team I believe has a wide range of outcomes this season.
My favorite looks from this matchup come in the form of two anytime goal scorers who could potentially have big seasons.
Kakko had a strong preseason for the Rangers, and was a bright spot amid what was a pretty ugly start to the year for New York. He's well-situated to continue that form tonight now when things actually count. The Sabres will likely play high-event hockey again this season with their potential weakness being high goals against totals, so I'm happy to get on a Ranger to score here.
Benson dazzled as well in the preseason and showed he will likely be able to finish at the NHL level. His spot in the lineup is a slight concern skating on Line 3 and Powerplay 2, but +600 for him to score at anytime is a playable longshot.
What is QuickSlip?
QuickSlip is an Action Network feature that allows users to automatically pre-load their bet slip at FanDuel Sportsbook.
