Welcome back to the return of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Buffalo Sabres vs New Jersey Devils. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season starts.
NHL Predictions
Buffalo Sabres vs New Jersey Devils
Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: NHL Network; Sportsnet
The time has arrived to play NHL games that count. Both the Sabres and Devils are looking to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. We know about the Sabres lengthy drought. They haven’t qualified for the NHL postseason since the 2011 playoffs. On the other hand, the Devils took a big step back. Both clubs have new faces, but New Jersey really did a drastic makeover of its roster.
The two teams also have new head coaches. Sheldon Keefe comes over to New Jersey from the Toronto Maple Leafs, while a familiar face returns behind the Buffalo bench. Lindy Ruff was the Devils bench boss last season, but is now back with the Sabres.
Let’s take a look at each team and make our first call on NHL predictions of the season.
The Devils Story
New Jersey made some big splashes thanks to general manager Tom Fitzgerald. Names like Jacob Markstrom, Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, and Tomas Tatar were acquired in the offseason. The Devils have made it known that missing the postseason was a fluke.
They will join names like Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier in the lineup that’s hoping to be a force in the Eastern Conference. Markstrom will likely draw the start, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Also note the 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time puck drop to set your lineups accordingly.
The Sabres Story
Buffalo is going back to its past by bringing back Ruff behind the bench. The pressure is on Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams to make a step forward. Buffalo brought in players like Jason Zucker, Sam Lafferty, Ryan McLeod, and Beck Malenstyn.
Finnish goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will likely get the call in between the pipes for Buffalo. The Atlantic Division is going to be hard to navigate, but Ruff’s teams always play tough. New Jersey will have to earn their goals against a heavy bottom of Buffalo’s lineup.
Prediction
It’s always tough to gauge how a team will do in an opening game. There will always be some adjusting to new line combinations and defensive pairings. Both teams will also have to get used to a new head coach. There’s also the difference of playing in Europe. One wonders how it will affect both teams. However, the Devils seem like the better team on paper.
Prediction: Devils win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
With only one game on tap, we’ve got some prop bets for this opening game of the 2024-25 season. The over/under for this game at a number of sportsbooks is 6.5. We like the under in this one with it being an early-season game with a lot of new faces.
As for individual props, Jack Hughes is a +1000 on Fanduel for the first goal of the game. On the Buffalo end of things, John-Jason Peterka is a +170 for any time goal scorer. We feel these could be good ways to start off your season on a solid note. Check out another round of NHL predictions for Game Two of the NHL Global Series in Czechia.
Main photo by: Timothy T. Ludwig – USA TODAY Sports
