New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres: Picks, Predictions and Odds

The first 2024-25 NHL regular season puck will be dropped on Friday in Czechia in an international matchup between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres.

The Devils will face off in back-to-back games over in Czechia to begin their season as the NHL continues to look for growth opportunities outside of North America.

These division foes both missed the playoffs last year, but have their eyes on a postseason birth this season.

New Jersey is broadly expected to be a Stanley Cup contender, while the consensus is the Sabres will have to battle to contend for a wild card spot. The long journey to get there starts with this game.

Fans are in for a treat with this international series to being this NHL season.

New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres betting picks and predictions

Devils -1.5 (+165)

After a very promising 2022-23 season, the Devils underachieved last year for reasons both controllable and uncontrollable.

They had a good offseason retooling both on and off the ice. Now, looking at this season’s roster and new head coach, this is a very dangerous team. 

New Jersey already appears to be the deeper, more talented team on paper.

Add in the intangible factors of players wanting to prove last season was a fluke, along with head coach Sheldon Keefe looking for a fast start from his new team, and this could be a game the Devils run up the score.

There is reason for hope in Buffalo. This is not a bad team, but without a benchmark yet this season, bettors primarily have rosters, projections, and narratives to go off when it comes to making wagers.

That is, until after a couple games where it is easier to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of a team.

With that in mind, if everyone is healthy, the Devils plainly are the better team in this one.

Look for New Jersey come out with some jam and give bettors solid value on this +165 puck line.

Jack Hughes over 1.5 points (+175)

To go along with the theme of the Devils being out to prove that last season was a fluke, team superstar Jack Hughes is a prime example.

He finished 2023 with 99 points and then last season he finished up with 74 points in a year which he missed 20 games.

Hughes was on track to be in the Hart Trophy conversation last year before getting hurt. He is a Hart Trophy caliber player if he stays healthy and has the ability to take over games.

All signs are that Hughes is healthy right now. The fresh legs, raw talent, and chip on the shoulder all point toward a strong performance in the season opener.

Hughes to tally a point will not have much value, so the pick with higher upside will be Hughes to go over 1.5 points.

He is the best player on a good team and there will be plenty of opportunity for Hughes to log a couple of points.

Tage Thompson anytime goalscorer (+165)

If the Devils can win and cover, that is not to say that the Sabres may not go down quietly.

They have some offensive prowess themselves led by Tage Thompson.

Thompson is another player, similar to Hughes, that lit up the 2022-23 season but took a step back last year. He is extremely offensively talented and has all the makings of a 50-goal, 100-point scorer.

In a game that looks good for the Devils, it may mean that the Sabres are prompted to take some chances offensively.

In that game script, Sabres players will look to get the ball on Thompson’s stick. Win or lose, Thompson is as good of a bet as any player to score any given game.

Read more betting picks and predictions for the NHL on site.

New Jersey Devils vs Buffalo Sabres odds

New Jersey Devils	-140 ML
Buffalo Sabres	+120 ML
Puck Line	NJ Devils -1.5
Total	O/U 6.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.