NHL Hockey
2008-01-08 - Buffalo Sabres at New Jersey Devils
A Sports Betting Pick by zamboni
The Devils (23-15-2-1) will look to continue with their domination over the Buffalo Sabres (19-18-1-2) when they face-off tonight in New Jersey. The Devils have won 10 of the past 11 meetings in New Jersey.The Devils have won 9 of the past 10 home games, including a 2-1 victory over the Sabres back on December 15th. A team that has been solid defensively for years now, the Devil’s are taking care of business in their own end of the rink. The Devils have allowed an average of only 1.8 goals per game in their last 10 home games.
Devil’s goalie Martin Brodeur seems to have found his way again, after a somewhat shaky start to the season. Brodeur lost 11 of the first 16 games out of the gate this season, but since that bad spell, Marty has won 16 of the last 20 games. Over his career, Brodeur has owned the Sabres winning 8 the past 9 meeting, conceding a paltry 1.65 goals per game.
The Sabres are in a tailspin right now, having lost their last 6 games. Goal production is their biggest problem right now as Buffalo has been held to 2 or less goals in the past 6 games.
The Sabres are just not getting production from their star players. Thomas Vanek, the Sabres highest paid player (and one of the NHL’s highest paid players), has found the back of the net only 12 times in 40 games this season. Maxim Afinogenov is also performing below expectation, recording a meager 18 points so far this season. Instead, the Sabres are getting their goals from less likely sources such as Derek Roy who is 2nd in Sabres scoring this season. Unfortunately for the Sabres Roy will sit tonight’s game out with a shoulder injury. In fact, the Sabres will also miss out on a couple of other of the key players in Afinogenov and Paille.
History is certainly on the Devil’s side tonight, but it is not the primary reason I think the Devils will win. Injury concerns and their poor recent form is why I must oppose the Sabres right now. Granted the Devils’ are not known for outstanding goal production, but I just cannot see where the Sabres will get their goals from, especially against the stingy defense of the Devils.
The Pick :
New Jersey Devils
