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Rangers vs. Sabres Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's NHL Game

Gary Pearson

Last Updated: December 11, 2024 8:16 AM EST • 2 min 39 sec read.

New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin controls the puck against the Chicago Blackhawk as we offer our Rangers vs. Sabres prediction.
New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin controls the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks. Photo by Brad Penner via Imagn Images

Wednesday's matchup at KeyBank Center (7 p.m., TNT) features two foremost experts on putting on a brave face despite continually getting open-hand slapped.

The New York Rangers have the unenviable record of NHL's worst team over the last 10 games (2-8-0), while the Buffalo Sabres share that dubious dishonor since Nov. 27, losing seven in a row during that span. 

Buffalo has lost all four games in its five-game homestand, wrapping things up Wednesday before heading on the road for three. Meanwhile, after starting the season 7-1-0 in enemy rinks, the Rangers enter the game on the back of four straight road losses. 

Despite their league-worst 10-game slide, the Rangers are among the Stanley Cup odds favorites. Our Rangers vs. Sabres prediction backs Artemi Panarin to get on the scoresheet.

Today's Rangers vs. Sabres prediction

Odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.

My best pick: Artemi Panarin Over 0.5 assists ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -125 via Betway | Implied probability: 55.56%

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I'm staying away from the moneyline and Over/Under for various reasons, mainly due to the absence of continuity in either team's play. Both are as desperate, and neither has an iota of confidence. Buffalo beat New York 6-1 in the Big Apple about two weeks before the Blueshirts went off the rails. 

While the Rangers are the better team on paper, they cannot be trusted, even after chasing Jacob Trouba out of town. I'm turning to one of the only constants, Panarin.  

The Breadman delivers more than anyone on either team, and he has at least one helper in four of the last five games. The only exception came in New York's 2-1 loss to Chicago on Monday.

Panarin has five assists in the last five games after going six without one. It won't come as a shock when I tell you that the Rangers lost five of the six in which the Breadman didn't register a helper.  

Panarin has 22 assists in 29 games against Buffalo and three in the last four, including one in the Nov. 7 defeat. 

Sabres' sickly home defense

The probability of Panarin notching at least one assist should increase given how sickly Buffalo's defense is on home ice. The Sabres allow the fourth-most goals per game at KeyBank Center (3.47), conceding 19 in the four on the current homestand. 

They also allow the seventh-most per 60 minutes 5-on-5 (2.72). If Panarin registers a helper, you'll win $8 on a $10 bet. 

Rangers vs. Sabres player prop pick

NHL picks made Wednesday; odds subject to change.

Alexis Lafreniere prop pick: Over 1.5 shots ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: +110 via Betway | Implied probability: 47.62%

Alexis Lafreniere is starting to play like he did at the start of the season, which is excellent news for the reeling Rangers. He has at least three shots in three of the last five games and fired three in three of the previous four versus the Sabres. 

Buffalo allowed 32.8 shots per game in the previous four home games, the second-most since Dec. 3. It's a matchup Lafreniere should be able to take advantage of. A $10 bet will profit $11. 

Rangers vs. Sabres live odds & info

  • When: Wednesday, Dec. 11
  • Puck drop: 7 p.m. ET
  • Where: KeyBank Center (Buffalo, N.Y.)
  • How to watch: TNT
  • Favorite: Rangers (-140 via Betway)

Rangers vs. Sabres injuries

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Written By:
Gary Pearson
Gary Pearson has written professionally since 2010, focusing on sports betting since 2014. Before entering the sports betting space, he contributed to the Canadian Press, FanSided, the Hockey Writers, the Calgary Herald, and other publications. His work has also been featured in Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report. Gary, who consumes sports like a blue whale devours plankton, has a penchant for writing predictions and analyses across several sports, including hockey, soccer, football, tennis, and more. He bets regularly, preferring single-game picks, props, and live betting. While there isn't a sport he has yet to dabble in, Gary prefers betting on soccer, hockey, and football. He studied at various post-secondary institutions, including the University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, and Griffith University, located in Brisbane, Australia. Gary has a marketing degree and completed his bachelor's degree in journalism at Griffith University. He feels strongly that life experience is as essential as post-secondary education, helping formulate more accurate predictions and analyses. Gary believes that competing at a high level of amateur sports during his formative years helped him better understand an athlete's psyche and the nuances and complexities of a team's dynamic, both on and off the playing surface. He feels that knowledge is immeasurably important when offering his analytical expertise. He has lived on five continents and currently resides in Canada.