NHL: Sabres look to rattle Devils, Penguins hunted by Rangers

Sabres (-120) @ DEVILS (+100), 7:00 p.m.
Pick: DEVILS (+100)

The Sabres (31-34-9) and the Devils (28-39-9) both find themselves on the outside looking in on the playoffs this season. Buffalo started off stronger than anyone thanks to a slew of new additions to the roster that helped breathe life into the entire team. A first overall draft pick and a great summer of free agency will do that. However, they just have been able to keep up as of late and recently have been one of the leagues worst teams. They’ve lost 2 straight and in their last 10 have gone 1-8-1.

The other side of the coin features the Devils who have been struggling just as badly but recently a good chunk of the team returned from injury. Forwards Nico Hischier, Kyle Palmieri, Pavel Zacha and defenseman Mirco Mueller all played again during the last tilt against the Coyotes where the Devils stole the game in the shootout. The powerplay was revitalized even though they didn’t capitalize on any of them, the penalty kill was looking strong as ever and the team just felt more capable and ready to play. We think the Devils will carry the momentum from Saturday into the game tonight against the Sabres.

Penguins (-200) @ RANGERS (+175), 7:00 p.m.
Pick: Penguins (-200)

The Penguins (41-26-11) are 2 points behind the Islanders for second place in the metro tonight and can take the opportunity to tie in points with them as the Isles have the night off. They will face the Rangers (28-32-13) who managed to snuff out the Maple Leafs in the shootout for the first win in a few games. The Blue Shirts have as bad of a record as any and have gone 2-5-3 in their last 10. They’ve secured 7th place in their division for the season and tonight will be a prime example of why they are stuck there.

The Penguins should decimate their competition tonight. It’s a big game for them and means absolutely nothing to the Rangers. They need to keep winning if they want to usurp first place in the division which isn’t a stretch for them at this point. We are confident in the Pens tonight, you should be too.