| MATCHUP | New York Islanders | Buffalo Sabres |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 19-13-3 | 15-14-4 |
| Spread | +1.5 -198 | -1.5 164 |
| Moneyline | +130 | -155 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (105) | Under 6.5 (-125) |
| Where | KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY | |
| When | Saturday, December 20, 2025 | |
| Time | 05:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
New York Islanders Betting Preview
The New York Islanders lost to the Red Wings and Canucks, and they play the Devils next. The Islanders have won 6 of their last 9 games.
The New York Islanders are averaging 2.86 goals per game and are scoring 15.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Bo Horvat leads New York with 19 goals, Mathew Barzal has 18 assists and Matthew Schaefer has 95 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Islanders are allowing 2.77 goals per game and are killing 81.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. David Rittich has allowed 29 goals on 305 shots faced, and Ilya Sorokin has given up 61 goals on 675 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres beat the Kraken and Flyers, and they play the Devils next. The Sabres have won 4 straight games.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.06 goals per game and are scoring 20.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 17 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 23 assists, and Josh Doan has 85 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.39 goals per game and are killing 85.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Alex Lyon has given up 48 goals on 499 shots faced, and Colten Ellis has allowed 24 goals on 228 shots.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Islanders have lost seven of their last eight games at KeyBank Center.
- The Sabres have won seven of their last eight home games against the Islanders following a win.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in nine of their last 10 games against the Islanders following a win.
- The Islanders have lost the third period in each of their last four games as underdogs.
Why the New York Islanders will win
- The Islanders have won six of their last seven games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Sabres have lost each of their last five games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Islanders have covered the puck line in each of their last four games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The underdogs have won the first period in each of the Islanders’ last three games.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Islanders’ last seven road games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Nine of the Sabres’ last 10 games as favorites against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last eight games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last eight road games against the Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Tage Thompson has scored a goal in each of the Sabres’ last five games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last four home games against the Islanders.
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least two shots in each of his last 17 appearances – longest active streak in the league.
New York Islanders Player Prop Facts
- Bo Horvat has recorded at least one assist in seven of his eight previous appearances with his team as an underdog against the Sabres.
- Bo Horvat has scored at least one goal in six of his last eight appearances with the Islanders as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Matthew Schaefer ranks 1st amongst rookies for average time on ice (23:44) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank T1st in the league for power play goals against this season (14).
- The Buffalo Sabres have suffered the equal-most losses by a margin of 2+ goals this season (14).
- The New York Islanders rank T3rd in the league in short handed goals this season (5).
- The New York Islanders rank T7th in the league for power play goals against this season (18).
New York Islanders vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction
Right when it looked like the Islanders were turning the corner, they lose back-to-back games and the offense goes into hiding. The Islanders now have a quick turnaround on the end of a back-to-back. The Sabres have a good thing going this week, and they’re at home, where 10 of their 15 wins have come. Now, the Sabres and Islanders are two teams that seem to do the opposite of what I predict, so there’s that. Still, I’ll roll with the Sabres at home with the rest edge.