New Jersey Devils (36-33-4) vs. Buffalo Sabres (34-33-5)
New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres 3/29/24 – In an exciting late-season clash, the New Jersey Devils will face off against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday, promising a thrilling hockey matchup preview for fans and analysts alike. Both teams are hovering around the .500 mark, making this contest at the KeyBank Center critical for playoff positioning. This game is not just a test of skill but also of resilience, as both teams look to make a final push in the regular season standings.
The Devils have proved themselves multi-goal scorers especially with uglized Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt who have hauled in a total of 69 points this year. With Hughes’ playmaking skills and Bratts shooting skills, New Jersey has the offensive weapons to challenge any defense. On the other hand, their victory against the Sabres will mainly hinge on their capacity to breach the Sabres’ defensive formation, that is led by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen who has been a key component of the Sabres’ defensive strength with .913 save percentage.
However, Buffalo has the strongest offense, of which Rasmus Dahlin and Alex Tuch are the leaders. In combination, Dahlin’s defensive skill and offensive capability from his blue line alongside Tuch’s flexibility and scoring talent provide the Sabres with a balanced attack. This formidable offense will be vital in seeing how the Devils cope with thematic defense, more so when Jake Allen is having a save percentage of .892 this season.
New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres 3/29/24 Game Info
| When: | Friday, March 29, 2024, at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | KeyBank Center |
| TV: | NHL |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Jake Allen vs. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Jake Allen‘s year has been mostly very fluctuating, comprising single shining moments as compared to failures. He has to do well against their fast offense because Devils have the chance to succeed if he puts up a good game performance. Preventing quality scoring chances for the opposition and controlling the defensive zone are among the main issues to be addressed in the preparation process of the game plan for the upcoming game.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been a breakthrough, giving the team good goaltending all through the season. Keeping both vital saves and coolness in a tense situation when we are playing against the Devils team that will be trying to use small mistakes for any lapses in defense will be the key for him. The decisive involvement of some Luukkonen players against rival pairs goes with the saying that the game may be entirely conditioned on his wards of tomorrow.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
With the betting odds yet to be announced, this matchup presents an intriguing scenario for bettors. Given the recent form and head-to-head statistics, this game is expected to be tightly contested, with goaltending possibly making the difference.
New Jersey Devils Betting Trends
The Devils have had difficulty covering the spread in recent games, but their offensive approach, visible in the scoring OVER in total points, could be a decisive factor against teams with defensive vulnerabilities.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Trends
The Sabres have kept the ATS line tighter, specifically when it comes to home games, which has resulted in KeyBank Center being solid for them. Of note, home games of their recent OVERS show high-scoring entertainment, which can be considered when betting total points.
New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres 3/29/24 Betting Picks
Given that both teams are in top form, and the great importance of this game at the end of the season, goaltending most likely will be the most significant factor. Luukkonen appears to be great in net for the Sabres, and with a balanced offensive attack, Buffalo might have the edge in this matchup. Nevertheless, Buffalo’s defensive potential should not be treated lightly, as if the Devils manage to score first, it could set a tone of the game.
Fundamentally, with the winning handicapping strategies in mind and with the Sabres’ consistency at home and with Luukkonen’s form of goaltending, they can be said to have the upper hand. The last game may well be decided by special teams play, where Buffalo would possess the advantage in power play efficiency that could be crucial.
Free Pick and Prediction: Buffalo Sabres 4, New Jersey Devils 3.