NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Table of Contents
Match Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Buffalo Sabres vs New Jersey Devils |
| Date | Sunday, December 21, 2025 |
| Time | 7:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Prudential Center |
| Location | Newark, New Jersey |
| Game type | Eastern Conference matchup |
| Broadcast | ESPN+ |
| Schedule spot | Both teams on the second night of a back-to-back |
Follow Winning Trends Across Every League
The Smartest Way to Bet Daily
For a full slate view, start with today’s NHL picks and team context on the NHL teams page.
Line and Odds
| Market | Sabres | Devils |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | +145 | -165 |
| Puck line | +1.5 | -1.5 |
| Total | Over 6.5 | Under 6.5 |
Shop the latest numbers on the live NHL odds and lines board.
Movement Matchup
This is a “form vs venue” price. Buffalo is coming in hot and playing cleaner hockey, while New Jersey is getting respect at home despite recent struggles in Newark. The total holding at 6.5 reflects Buffalo’s recent power-play punch and the fact that one early special-teams swing can change the entire script.
The key angle is game state. Buffalo has been comfortable playing tight, protecting leads, and not feeding transition the other way. New Jersey needs a more assertive first period to avoid chasing this game into Buffalo’s preferred structure.
For strategy on moneyline vs puck line and total sensitivity, the NHL betting guide is the quickest reference.
Breakdown Injury Reports
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | Position | Status | Impact note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Zucker | LW | Out | Limits wing depth and second-unit flexibility |
New Jersey Devils
| Player | Position | Status | Impact note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Hughes | C | Probable | Adds elite transition and power-play creation immediately |
Buffalo Sabres Recent performance
Buffalo enters on a five-game winning streak after a 3-2 shootout win over the Islanders on Saturday. The common thread during this run is controlled puck management. They’ve played a string of one-goal games and have been rewarded because they’re not gifting opponents easy offense.
Tage Thompson is the headliner, riding a six-game goal streak and producing consistently without Buffalo needing wide-open hockey. The power play has been a real driver as well, converting at a strong clip over the streak, which matters against a Devils team that has been searching for rhythm with the man advantage.
New Jersey Devils Recent performance
New Jersey comes in off a productive road swing and has won four of its last six games, but the home form has been a problem lately with multiple losses at Prudential Center. That matters here because Buffalo is playing confident, patient hockey and isn’t easily rattled when the game gets tight late.
The Devils finally got a much-needed power-play goal recently, and getting Hughes back raises their offensive ceiling immediately. The question is whether they can sustain pressure for full shifts and finish enough of their looks to avoid another one-goal game heading into the third.
Betting Insights and Trends
Buffalo’s recent success has come from playing lower-risk hockey in the neutral zone and turning games into disciplined, late-deciding contests. That style pairs well with puck line value because they tend to be in close games even when they’re controlling play.
New Jersey’s best path is forcing a faster pace early. If the Devils create quick-strike chances and draw penalties, they can flip this into a special teams game where skill wins out. If not, Buffalo can grind this into a tight third period where one mistake decides it.
If you’re tracking how the Devils are priced in the bigger picture, the Metropolitan Division odds and predictions page provides that context.
Access the Top Sports Picks in Real Time
Never Miss a Winning Edge Again
Best Bets and Prediction
Best bet: Sabres +1.5 (puck line)
Projected score: Sabres 3, Devils 2
Total: lean under 6.5
Buffalo has been living in tight games and protecting leads well. Even with Hughes returning, this sets up as another structured matchup unless special teams turns it into a sprint.
For long-range context on where the market rates both teams, Stanley Cup odds and predictions can help frame the ceiling vs current pricing.
Handicapper section
One pick is fine. Tracking who consistently beats the market is better. Check the handicapper leaderboard to sort by profit and ROI, then follow the top performers into tonight’s NHL card.
