Rangers vs. Sabres Pick
Will the New York Rangers have any issue picking up a win over the Buffalo Sabres in the Winter Classic this afternoon at Citi Field? The puck drops at 1PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Rangers are a -185 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Sabres are a +155 underdog, while the total is set at 5.5 goals.
New York enters with a 20-13-1-4 record after a 3-2 shootout loss at the Red Wings on Friday night. Buffalo is 10-20-7-1 following a 4-3 home overtime win Friday night against the Devils.. The Sabres are 2-1 in three meetings since the start of last season. The under is 2-1.
In the loss at Detroit, goals were scored by David Desharnais and Vinny Lettieri. Henrik Lundqvist made 33 saves on 35 shots to take the loss. Lettieri gave New York the lead early in the second period before eventually falling in the shootout.
Buffalo was paced by Jack Eichel with two goals in the loss to New Jersey. Jacob Josefson and Rasmus Ristolainen added a goal apiece. Robin Lehner made 35 saves on 38 shots to notch the victory. The Sabres led 3-2 through two periods, but gave up the advantage in the third before Ristolained scored the winner in OT
The Rangers are 10-3 in their last 13 meetings. The road team is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
New York is almost always a tough beat with Lundqvist between the pipes. Add in the ultimate hockey atmosphere of an outdoor New Year’s Day game and a crowd that should be decidedly in favor of the Rangers and you have all the makings of a game that will be dominated by New York. Look for Lundqvist to put in good work whenever he is tested, whil also receiving plenty of offense in what should be a fairly wide open game.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: NEW YORK RANGERS -185