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The Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils hit the Under for the first time in six head-to-head encounters, which was our featured bet for Friday's season opener.
Like the Devils, we're off to a winning start, but celebrating so early in the season would be as silly as seeing Cam Neely first mention the value ($64 million) of Jeremy Swayman's contract offer at a press conference before telling the player or his agent.
The Eastern Conference foes are back at it in the Czech Republic on Saturday, and our Sabres vs. Devils prediction looks at the Over/Under and an appealing Dylan Cozens prop after his impressive opener.
The Devils, one of the Stanley Cup odds favorites, are the consensus favorites at our best sports betting sites.
Sabres vs. Devils prediction
Odds via our best NHL betting site s; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.
Best odds: -105 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 51.22%
Jacob Markstrom was the primary storyline in the season opener, music to the ears of Devils fans everywhere. Besides his unnecessary giveaway in the first period, which Markstrom made up for with a spectacular save, the Vezina Trophy odds hopeful was superb.
He also conjured what will probably be the save of the season in the first period, paddling Nicolas Aube-Kubel's doorstep attempt aside.
And if you think I'm exaggerating on the save-of-the-season shoo-in, take a look for yourself:
Markstrom, who made 30 saves on 31 shots (.968 save percentage), finished with 2.49 goals saved above expected, according to MoneyPuck.com.
He was the most influential reason the Devils and Sabres didn't extend t heir Over streak to six games. So thank you, Jacob, for making my Under wish come true.
Despite the three-goal victory, the Devils struggled to muster many opportunities after the opening 23 minutes and change. They didn't really have to after going up three goals.
That said, I expect more offense from both teams on Saturday. The Sabres looked dangerous after a sluggish start, settling down and finishing with 3.49 expected goals.
I'd be shocked if Sheldon Keefe didn't start Markstrom to culminate the Global Series. Yes, it's a back-to-back game, which usually means rotation where goaltenders are concerned. But it's only the second game of the season, and neither team plays again until Thursday, when they're back on North American soil.
Lindy Ruff may go with Devon Levi after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's underwhelming performance. Either way, unless Markstrom stands on his head twice in less than 24 hours, I expect the Sabres to score at least three goals.
And the Devils' offense is always capable of an outburst, especially if the Sabres' goaltending doesn't sharpen up.
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Sabres vs. Devils player prop bet
Best odds: +125 via bet365| Implied probability: 44.44%
It might be Prague's overall feel, its medieval mystique, that turned Cozens into a devil-like force against New Jersey. Whatever responsible, I'm jumping all over his shot total.
Cozens had seven shots on Friday, easily the most in the contest for either team. Like a man possessed, he was an omnipresent force. Even if he regresses significantly, which wouldn't surprise me, I foresee the momentum he built from Friday extending into Saturday's tilt.
At +125, bet365 offers the best price. FanDuel currently offers -105 while BetMGM sits at +115. A winning $10 bet pays a $12.50 profit.
Sabres vs. Devils live odds & info
- When: Saturday, Oct. 5
- Puck drop: Noon ET
- Where: O2 Arena (Prague, Czech Republic)
- How to watch: Sportsnet, NHL Network
- Favorite: Devils (-155 via DraftKings)
Sabres-Devils predictions made Friday at 4 p.m. ET.
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