Pinnacle +162 Bet365 +165 SportsInteraction +165 5DIMES +165 888Sport +165

Posted at 2:30 PM EST.

Buffalo +165 over PITTSBURGH

7:05 PM EST. OT included. The Penguins defense was shredded last year and they didn’t make enough improvements to overcome it. GM Jim Rutherford didn’t have many options because the Penguins were over the cap and had to move people out before the start of the year. The big summer move was to swap Phil Kessel for Alex Galchenyuk. The Penguins also added Brandon Tanev and Dominik Kahun as top-six options, while parting with blueliner Olli Maatta. Matt Cullen retired. Up front, the Pens figure to score because you know why but that’s not the problem. Defensive deficiencies are glaring. The Penguins may or may not be improved but one thing remains constant and that is they’re almost always overpriced.

The Sabres' roster remains largely unchanged heading into the season, but they made a big change behind the bench, where Ralph Krueger takes over. Krueger, 60, returns to the NHL with a formidable reputation and a thin hockey coaching résumé. He spent 48 games with the Oilers in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season before unceremoniously getting fired, to the protest of his young players. He was successful as coach of the Swiss national team and led Team Europe to the World Cup of Hockey finals in 2016 He’ll bring the system, structure and discipline that the Sabres have been lacking for years. Jack Eichel is a star. Jeff Skinner scored 40 goals skating with him. Sam Reinhart and new arrival Marcus Johansson are consistent scorers. Last year's rookie sensation Rasmus Dahlin leads an improved defense, while Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark have potential in goal. The Sabres may not make the playoffs but as an underdog in this range against the overpriced Penguins, they are worth a bet.

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