New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres: Picks, Predictions and Odds

Read the latest betting picks and predictions for tonight's matchup between the New York Rangers (14-12-1) and Buffalo Sabres (11-13-4), courtesy of our friends at Daily Faceoff.

New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres betting picks and predictions

Two struggling teams meet in Buffalo on Wednesday as the Sabres host the New York Rangers.

Buffalo cruised to a 6-1 victory in their first meeting on Nov. 7 but has since hit a rough patch, losing seven straight games. The Rangers, meanwhile, started the season strong with eight wins in their first 11 games, but that lopsided loss to Buffalo seemed to foreshadow their current struggles.

New York has dropped eight of its last 10 games, slipping out of a wild card spot in the process.

Defense has been a major issue for both teams since that first meeting. Buffalo has allowed the second-most goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five during that stretch, while New York isn’t far behind, ranking among the league’s bottom five.

The Rangers’ defensive metrics are particularly concerning. According to Evolving Hockey, New York ranks dead last in expected goals against since Nov. 8. Buffalo isn’t much better, sitting in the bottom 10, but the gap between 24th and 32nd place is significant. For instance, the Rangers rank 30th in shots allowed, while the Sabres are 11th, and Buffalo holds an edge in most defensive categories.

On special teams, the Rangers boast the league’s 12th-best power play, while Buffalo’s ranks third-worst. New York also shines on the penalty kill, where it ranks second overall, compared to the Sabres’ respectable 12th-place showing.

However, the Rangers biggest edge, and the reason they win so many games every season, is Igor Shesterkin, and the 28-year-old goaltender has been average, at best, over the last month.

That said, Shesterkin isn’t all to blame for the fact that he’s 5-10 straight-up since Oct. 24. New York hasn’t been providing him with much offensive support, averaging 2.4 goals per game. Therefore, recent form suggests the Sabres have an edge on offense, and they might even have the upper hand defensively.

Pick: Buffalo Sabres ML (+120)

Pick: Tage Thompson Anytime Goalscorer (+150)

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New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres odds

NY Rangers	-140 ML
BUF Sabres	+120 ML
Puck Line	NYR -1.5 (+180)
Total Goals	O/U 6.0

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Better Collective. Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.