New York Rangers vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 3/11/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Rangers vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Rangers (-143) Sabres (+120)

KeyBank Center is the site where the Buffalo Sabres (32-28-4) will attempt to defeat the New York Rangers (36-19-9) on Saturday. The odds on this game have the Rangers at -143 and the Sabres are coming in at +120. The over/under is 7.

The New York Rangers had a decent effort after finishing in a 3-3 tie against the Canadiens their last time out. New York compiled 6 penalty minutes in this contest. Moreover, they had 4 chances with extra men on the ice and were able to net 2 goals. The Rangers were neither impressive or disappointing offensively in this game. For the game, they tallied a score on 3 of the 33 shots they attempted.

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In the matter of their scoring capabilities, the New York Rangers have tallied 209 goals (13th in pro hockey) for the year and have allowed 180. For the current campaign, they sit with 81 points and their points percentage is sitting at .633. New York comes into the game with 197 power play chances and they have notched 46 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 23.35%. While at even strength, the Rangers have allowed 143 goals while scoring 163 of their own. New York has attempted 2,040 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.3%. The Rangers have seen 1,860 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .903. New York Rangers opponents have earned 182 power play opportunities (29th in hockey) and have tallied 37 goals in those chances.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Igor Shesterkin. Opponents have notched 341 goals versus Shesterkin in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per game is 2.43. Shesterkin has been involved in 146 contests throughout his NHL career. His save percentage is at .922 in his 8,428 minutes played. He has an overall mark of 90-40-14 and he started in 141 games. Over the course of his pro career, Shesterkin has earned 92 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .652. Shesterkin has had 4,375 shot attempts against him and he has 4,034 saves.

In their last contest, Buffalo faced the Stars in a game where the Sabres ended up taking the loss by a mark of 10-4. They had 2 attempts on the power play in this matchup but weren't able to notch a goal. The Sabres tallied 4 goals out of the 29 shots on goal they were seeking.

Buffalo has attempted 2,070 shots (14th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 11.40%, while allowing their opponents 2,146 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 72.83% on their opponents 184 power play tries, and their save percentage comes in at 89.1%. They have a total of 213 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 24.88%. The Sabres have 183 goals at even strength and 53 goals (5th in hockey) while on the power play. They have allowed 233 goals to be scored by of a combination of 183 goals at even strength and 50 goals while they had less men on the ice. For the season, the Buffalo Sabres have earned a total of 236 goals, 68 points, as well as a points percentage of .531.

Across the ice you are likely to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen between the pipes. He has compiled 1,179 saves out of the 1,311 shots attempted against him, giving him a save percentage of .899. Luukkonen holds a lifetime mark of 18-18-4 and has been in goal for 40 games. He has been a starter 40 games and has played 2,300 minutes. Luukkonen's rate of quality starts comes out to 42.5% and he has qualified for 17 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. Teams are averaging 3.44 goals per game and he has surrendered 132 goals altogether.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Buffalo (+120)

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