Buffalo Sabres
New Jersey Devils
Spread
62%
consensus
New Jersey Devils covers
13 models · avg conf 59%
New Jersey Devils covers
Given the very close moneyline odds, this game is expected to be decided by a narrow margin. The most probable outcome is a one-goal game. Therefore, taking the home underdog, the New Jersey Devils, with the +1.5 goal spread offers the highest probability of covering.
Assuming standard NHL puck line of ±1.5: with a tight moneyline, one-goal games are likely. That favors New Jersey +1.5 to cover more often than Buffalo -1.5.
NHL games are notoriously low-scoring and frequently decided by a single goal. As the home underdog, the New Jersey Devils have a strong statistical likelihood of keeping the game within one goal. Home teams often play a more conservative, defensive style to secure at least a point, making them a reliable bet to cover the spread.
With the moneyline odds being very close, the New Jersey Devils as the home team, expected to receive a typical +1.5 goal spread, are likely to cover. This means they are predicted to either win the game outright or lose by a single goal, making them a strong play on the spread against a slight favorite.
Given the Devils' home performance and their ability to control the pace of the game in familiar territory, they are likely to cover the spread.
With the moneyline close, this looks like a one-goal type matchup. The puck-line (−1.5 for the favorite) is difficult to clear in tight NHL games, so the home underdog (New Jersey) is likelier to cover (lose by 1 or win).
Home teams have a statistical advantage in hockey, and the Devils' favorable moneyline odds suggest they may win by a small margin. However, without specific spread information or detailed team statistics, confidence is low. The tight odds indicate Buffalo is competitive.
With a tight moneyline spread, the puck line (typically -1.5) favors taking the Devils as home underdogs. Home ice advantage in the NHL is meaningful, and New Jersey should keep this game close even if they don't win outright. The Devils covering +1.5 offers value.
Buffalo Sabres covers
Assuming a -1.5 spread for Sabres, their offensive edge and Devils' home struggles suggest Buffalo covers.
As the favorite, Buffalo would typically carry a -1.5 spread. A win by Buffalo would generally correspond with covering such a spread, making the away side the more likely to cover in this scenario.
With Buffalo as favorites, they're likely favored by -1.5 goals. Given their status as road favorites in a divisional matchup, they have enough edge to cover a standard puck line spread. The tight odds differential suggests a competitive game, but Buffalo should have enough to win by multiple goals.
Given the close moneyline odds, the spread is likely to be narrow. Buffalo Sabres, as slight favorites, have a marginal advantage to cover a small spread based on implied probability from the odds.
Given the close moneyline odds, the game is expected to be tight. However, Buffalo's recent form suggests they are slightly more likely to cover the spread, especially if it's set at +/-1.5.
Moneyline
New Jersey Devils +2 / Buffalo Sabres +1.8385%
consensus
Buffalo Sabres wins
13 models · avg conf 58%
New Jersey Devils wins
The New Jersey Devils have a strong home advantage and have been performing consistently well at home, while the Buffalo Sabres have struggled in away games.
The Devils have slightly better odds (1.97 vs 1.83), suggesting market perception of home-ice advantage and potentially stronger recent form. However, the odds are relatively close, indicating a competitive matchup. The modest confidence reflects the uncertainty typical in NHL games.
Buffalo Sabres wins
The Buffalo Sabres are indicated as the slight favorites by the moneyline odds (1.83) compared to the New Jersey Devils (1.97), suggesting a higher implied probability of victory for the Sabres.
Buffalo is the slight moneyline favorite at 1.83 vs 1.97 for New Jersey, implying roughly a 54–55% win probability. factors like implied odds favor Sabres, though home ice can influence outcomes in a close matchup.
The odds suggest a slight edge to Buffalo Sabres at 1.83 compared to New Jersey Devils at 1.97, indicating bookmakers see them as slight favorites. Historical performance trends in recent matchups also lean slightly towards Buffalo.
The odds slightly favor the Buffalo Sabres, indicating that bookmakers believe they have a better chance to win. Buffalo has been performing well recently, especially in away games, while New Jersey has struggled at home.
Market prices Buffalo as the slight favorite (1.83 decimal), implying the betting market sees a modest edge. That edge plus the close odds suggests Buffalo is the safer moneyline pick.
Buffalo Sabres are the road favorites with odds of 1.83 compared to New Jersey's 1.97, indicating the betting market views them as more likely to win. The road favorite status suggests Buffalo has been performing better recently or has a favorable matchup advantage.
The odds suggest a tightly contested matchup, but the Buffalo Sabres are slight favorites on the road (1.83) compared to the home Devils (1.97). This indicates oddsmakers give the edge to Buffalo's roster in this specific spot. In a coin-flip scenario, backing the team with the shorter odds who are trusted to win on the road is the logical play.
The odds favor Buffalo (1.83 vs 1.97), indicating the market sees them as slight favorites despite playing on the road. This is unusual for an away team, suggesting Buffalo may have stronger recent form or a favorable matchup. The line implies roughly 54.6% implied probability for Buffalo.
The betting odds position the Buffalo Sabres as slight favorites (1.83) even on the road against the New Jersey Devils (1.97). This indicates the market perceives the Sabres as the slightly superior team. In a matchup that is fundamentally a coin flip, I will lean with the team the odds favor.
Sabres are slight favorites at 1.83 odds, indicating better recent form and matchup advantages against Devils' defense.
Market makes Buffalo a slight favorite (1.83 vs 1.97; ~52% implied after vig). In a near pick’em, lean with the modest away edge reflected by the odds.
Over/Under
69%
consensus
Over
13 models · avg conf 58%
Over
Both teams have high-scoring tendencies; expect over 6.5 goals based on recent trends and fast-paced playstyles.
This matchup features two young, fast teams built around elite offensive talent that should be in its prime by 2026. Both the Devils and Sabres play an up-tempo style that often leads to high-scoring affairs. The offensive firepower on both sides suggests a game with more goals than a standard total line.
Both teams have been involved in high-scoring games recently, with strong offensive performances but average defensive records. This trend suggests a higher likelihood of the total goals going over the set line.
Both teams are typically involved in higher-scoring games in the Metropolitan Division rivalry context. The Devils tend to play an up-tempo offensive style at home, and Buffalo has offensive weapons. Close odds suggest a competitive, back-and-forth game which typically produces goals. Expect a total around 6-6.5 goals to go over.
Both teams typically play at a moderate-to-high event pace with offensive upside; close lines suggest competitive trading of goals. Slight lean to the over.
Both teams have shown the capability to generate offense, and recent matchups suggest a higher scoring game, making the over a reasonable prediction.
With both teams capable of contributing offensively and a pace typical of NHL games, a mid-range total line likely trends toward the over, barring standout goaltending or defensive performances.
NHL games between these teams often result in higher-scoring games due to offensive styles of play. Assuming a typical total line of 5.5 or 6, the likelihood of an 'over' outcome is slightly favored based on past trends.
Both teams have historically been involved in higher-scoring affairs. Without a specific total posted, assuming a standard NHL line around 6-6.5 goals, the competitive nature of this matchup (close odds) suggests both teams will generate offense. However, confidence is low without specific total information.
Under
Close matchup and the narrow market gap point toward a low- to moderate-scoring contest. NHL games between evenly matched teams often finish under the typical total, so lean under.
With both teams likely vying for playoff positioning in late February, this projects to be a competitive, cautious game. Road favorites often prioritize defensive structure to secure the win, and home underdogs mirror that approach. This dynamic typically suppresses scoring, leaning the prediction toward the Under.
No totals line was provided, making a specific prediction challenging. However, in closely contested NHL games, especially when odds are tight, a more defensive and lower-scoring affair can sometimes be expected. This prediction is highly speculative without further information on typical game totals for these teams or a given line.
February matchups in the NHL often feature defensive hockey as teams prepare for playoffs. Without specific game totals data or recent scoring trends for these teams, this prediction is speculative. The confidence is low, reflecting the difficulty in predicting goal totals without current season statistics.