| MATCHUP | Buffalo Sabres | New York Rangers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 23-15-4 | 20-19-6 |
| Where | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY | |
| When | Thursday, January 8, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers meet Thursday in NHL action at Madison Square Garden. Here’s a Buffalo Sabres vs New York Rangers Prediction. This article will include a Buffalo Sabres vs New York Rangers Pick.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres beat the Canucks, lost to the Blue Jackets, and they play the Ducks next. The Sabres have won 11 of their last 12 games.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.1 goals per game and are scoring 17.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 21 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 24 assists, and Alex Tuch has 104 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.15 goals per game and are killing 84.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Alex Lyon has given up 54 goals on 577 shots faced, and Colten Ellis has allowed 24 goals on 228 shots.
New York Rangers Betting Preview
The New York Rangers beat the Panthers, lost to the Mammoth, and they play the Bruins next. The Rangers have lost 5 of their last 6 games.
The New York Rangers are averaging 2.59 goals per game and are scoring 22.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Artemi Panarin leads New York with 16 goals, Adam Fox has 24 assists, and Mika Zibanejad has 115 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Rangers are allowing 2.73 goals per game and are killing 80.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Igor Shesterkin has allowed 82 goals on 945 shots faced, while Jonathan Quick has given up 24 goals on 296 shots.
Why the New York Rangers will win
- The Sabres have lost each of their last four games as road favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Rangers have won six of their last seven games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in 17 of the Rangers’ last 18 games.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Rangers have won the second period in each of their last four games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won each of their last nine night games following a win.
- The Rangers have lost each of their last four night games after coming off overtime.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last six games at Madison Square Garden.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Sabres have won the second period in five of their last six night games.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last four night games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Rangers’ last six Thursday games as home underdogs have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last five games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in nine of the Sabres’ last 11 road games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
New York Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Artemi Panarin has scored at least one goal in four of the Rangers’ last five games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- J.T. Miller has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances with his team as a home underdog against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Mika Zibanejad ranks T9th in the league for Power Play Goals (8) this season.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Rasmus Dahlin has scored at least one goal in three of his last four appearances against the Rangers.
- Bowen Byram has recorded at least one assist in five of the Sabres’ last six night games.
- Rasmus Dahlin has scored five career goals against the Rangers – equal-most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Matchup/League Facts
- The New York Rangers have recorded the longest home losing streak (7 games) in the NHL this season.
- The New York Rangers have recorded the equal-most wins when trailing after Period 2 this season (4).
- The Buffalo Sabres have recorded the equal-longest winning streak (10 games) in the NHL this season.
- The Buffalo Sabres have recorded the longest road winning streak (7 games) in the NHL this season.
Buffalo Sabres vs New York Rangers Prediction
As I’ve said time and time again this season, betting the Rangers this season has been quite simple. You back the Rangers on the road and fade them at home. It’s worked great up to this point. It doesn’t hurt that the Rangers are in bad form right now and don’t have their starting goalie. The Sabres are one of the hottest teams in the league and are on fire defensively. I’ll continue to bet against the Rangers on their home ice. Give me the Sabres on Thursday night.