New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 3/31/2023

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY

Where to watch: MSGSN, NHLN, MSG-B, SN

DraftKings: Rangers -145, Sabres +125

BetMGM: Rangers -145, Sabres +125

Caesars: Rangers -145, Sabres +125

Rangers: 44-21-10

Sabres: 35-31-7

The New York Rangers will be playing the Buffalo Sabres on Friday, March 31 in Buffalo, New York.

The New York Rangers lost against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, March 30 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey with a score of 2-1. The New York Rangers currently rank 3rd in the Metropolitan Division.

Igor Shesterkin made 29 saves for the Rangers (44-21-10), who lost for the first time in four games.

"They have a lot of skill and a lot of talent," New York coach Gerard Gallant said. "They are a real good team. They've taken a step and have 102 points. They are a confident group. They work hard and play hard.

"After the first period, we played real well. We've got to come out a little bit better than we did."

After New Jersey scored the first two goals, Chris Kreider pulled the Rangers within 2-1 on the power play at 13:24 of the second period with a snap shot at the right post. New Jersey failed on two clearing attempts on the play, the first by Yegor Sharangovich and another by Ryan Graves. Adam Fox passed to Mika Zibanejad, who backhanded a pass to Kreider for his 33rd goal of the season.

"I thought we had some looks, some good chances but we just weren't able to capitalize on it," Fox said. "We've got to move on pretty quickly. You can't let up goals early. It's going to be a tough way to win when you do that."

Vanecek made 10 saves in the third period, including a right-pad stop against Vincent Trocheck at the left post at 8:11 after Trocheck took a lead pass from Patrick Kane.

With 1:03 left and Shesterkin pulled for the extra attacker, Graves cleared a puck in the crease that got behind Vanecek and was sliding toward the goal line.

The New York Rangers have won seven of their last 10 games.

The Buffalo Sabres lost against the Montreal Canadiens last Monday, March 27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York with a score of 4-3 resulting from a shootout. The Buffalo Sabres currently rank 6th in the Atlantic Division.

The Buffalo Sabres gained ground in the Eastern Conference wild card race when they lost.

Lukas Rousek had a goal and an assist in his NHL debut, and Eric Comrie made 38 saves for the Sabres (35-31-7), who have lost five of seven (2-3-2) but moved within five points of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the East.

Jordan Harris gave Montreal a 1-0 lead at 1:22 of the first period. After Comrie stopped Harris' shot from low in the left circle, the defenseman continued to the net and poked in the loose puck.

Rousek tied it 1-1 at 3:49 with his first NHL goal on a quick wrist shot on a rebound. Tyson Jost's shot from above the right circle hit the end boards and bounced to Rousek at the other side of the net.

"He's got a feel for the game," Sabres coach Don Granato said. "Obviously, he knows us, he knows our systems, he knows what he's doing. He's a hockey player. Very good game."

Alex Belzile put Montreal ahead 2-1 at 4:28 of the second period, faking a slap shot from the right circle before skating in for a sharp angle shot that beat Comrie in the far corner. JJ Peterka tied it 2-2 on the power play at 5:49, banking a shot from below the goal line off Allen's right shoulder.

"I saw he was down, and I've tried it in the past a couple times," Peterka said. "I'm happy it went in today."

Riley Stillman gave Buffalo a 3-2 lead at 8:31 when he drew Allen out of the net and skated to the doorstep before slipping the puck in. It was his first goal in 48 games.

"We battle hard every single night," Comrie said. "I respect the [heck] out of these guys. They work hard every single night. They truly give it their all. I love playing for these guys. It's unfortunate. That's a tough one to swallow tonight. That's a really tough pill to swallow."

Brendan Gallagher tied it 3-3 with his 200th NHL goal from the top of the right face-off circle. Michael Pezzetta scored the deciding goal in the sixth round of the shootout making the final score 4-3.

The Buffalo Sabres have won three of their last 10 games.

Prediction

Sabres need a win to stay alive. They may get that against Jaroslav Halak. Sabres 5, Rangers 3

Rangers:

Artemi Panarin -- Mika Zibanejad -- Vladimir Tarasenko

Chris Kreider -- Vincent Trocheck -- Patrick Kane

Alexis Lafreniere -- Filip Chytil -- Kaapo Kakko

Jimmy Vesey -- Barclay Goodrow -- Tyler Motte

Niko Mikkola -- Adam Fox

K'Andre Miller -- Jacob Trouba

Ben Harpur -- Braden Schneider

Jaroslav Halak

Sabres:

Jeff Skinner -- Tage Thompson -- Alex Tuch

JJ Peterka -- Dylan Cozens -- Jack Quinn

Casey Mittelstadt -- Tyson Jost -- Victor Olofsson

Zemgus Girgensons -- Peyton Krebs -- Kyle Okposo

Rasmus Dahlin -- Henri Jokiharju

Owen Power -- Ilya Lyubushkin

Riley Stillman -- Jacob Bryson

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen