New Jersey Devils vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 12/29/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New Jersey Devils vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Devils (-110) Sabres (-110)

KeyBank Center is the location where the Buffalo Sabres (10-15-5) will go up against the New Jersey Devils (10-15-5) on Wednesday. The moneyline on this matchup has New Jersey at -110 and Buffalo is sitting at -110. The total is 6.

The New Jersey Devils will need a bounce back game after taking a 3-2 loss to the Penguins their last time out. New Jersey tallied 14 mins in the box for this matchup. Moreover, they had 5 power play opportunities and were able to net 1 goal. The Devils didn't have a great showing offensively in this defeat. In the game, they tallied a score on 2 out of the 19 shots they tried.

Get all of our NHL Expert Picks

New Jersey Devils opponents have totaled 92 power play opportunities (8th in hockey) and have scored 18 goals in those attempts. The Devils have had 921 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .890. New Jersey has attempted 932 shots and has a shot percentage of 8.7%. When playing at even strength, the Devils have given up 83 goals while earning 70 on offense. New Jersey has accumulated 85 power play chances and they have added 11 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 12.94%. For the current campaign, they have earned 25 points and their points % is .417. In regard to scoring goals, the New Jersey Devils have earned 81 goals (21st in the league) this season and have allowed 101.

The man in goal for this game is Mackenzie Blackwood. Opponents have been able to score 330 goals versus Blackwood in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 2.87. Blackwood has taken the ice for 121 games over the course of his pro hockey career. His save percentage currently is at .910 in his 6,898 minutes in the crease. He has amassed an overall mark of 51-47-15 and he was named the starter in 114 games. In his professional hockey career, Blackwood has earned 60 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .526. Blackwood has seen 3,659 shot attempts against him and has recorded 3,329 total saves.

Their last time out, Buffalo squared up with the Penguins in an outing where the Sabres ended up losing by a mark of 3-2. They had 3 power play chances in this game but weren't able to score a goal. The Sabres recorded 2 goals out of the 21 shots on goal they took.

The Sabres have accumulated 66 goals at even strength and 14 goals (23rd in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. Buffalo has tried 885 shots (22nd in pro hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 9.04%, while allowing the other team 1,023 shots. On the year, the Buffalo Sabres have a total of 80 goals, 25 points, in addition to a points percentage of .417. They have recorded 76 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 18.42%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 80.00% on their opponents 75 power play opportunities, and their save percentage sits at 89.9%. They have allowed 103 goals to be scored by of a combination of 88 goals at even strength and 15 goals while they were shorthanded.

Across the ice you are likely to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen protecting the net. His opponents are averaging 2.75 goals per game and he has surrendered 24 goals altogether. Luukkonen's quality start percentage comes in at 66.7% and he has qualified for 6 quality starts in his pro career. He has been a starter 9 games and has played for a total of 523 minutes. Luukkonen is the owner of a lifetime record of 3-5-1 and has played in 9 games. He has accrued 289 saves out of 313 shots attempted, giving him a percentage of .923.

Who will win tonight's hockey game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take New Jersey (-110)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here