Sabres vs Rangers Prediction 4/8/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Sabres vs Rangers prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, April 8th at Madison Square Garden in New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are 47-23-8 this season after they defeated the Lightning by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Buffalo allowed TB to tie the game at two early in the second, but they answered with a goal later in the second and one in the third for the win. The Sabres out shot Tampa Bay by a total of 30-25, won 47.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Norris, Quinn, Tuch, and Zucker, while UPL stopped 23 out of 25 shots, which was a .920 save percentage.

Prior to that game, Buffalo lost to the Capitals by a score of 6-2 and the Senators by a score of 4-1. The Sabres have won three of their last five games and they are currently second in the Atlantic standings with 102 points. Buffalo has scored 3.40 goals per game and they have allowed 2.99 goals against per game, while also going 20.4% on the power play and 82.0% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 38 goals and 40 assists, while Alex Tuch has added 30 goals and 32 assists. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is 20-9-3 with a 2.55 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this season. 

New York Rangers Betting Preview

The New York Rangers are 33-36-9 this year after they defeated the Capitals by a score of 8-1 in their last game. New York was tied at one after the first period, but they scored five goals in the second and two in the third for the blowout win. The Rangers out shot Washington by a total of 33-21, won 65.0% of the face-offs, and went 2-4 on the power play in the game. New York got goals from Cuylle (3), Miller, Sheary, Sykora, Trocheck, and Fox, while Shesterkin stopped 20 out of 21 shots, which was a .952 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, New York defeated the Red Wings by a score of 4-1, but lost to the Canadiens by a score of 3-2 before that. The Rangers have won five of their last six games and they are currently last in the Metro standings with 75 points. New York has scored 2.90 goals per game and they have allowed 3.04 goals against per game, while also going 24.9% on the power play and 79.3% on the penalty kill this season. Mika Zibanejad has led NY with 33 goals and 42 assists, while Vincent Trocheck has added 16 goals and 36 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is Igor Shesterkin, who is 25-17-6 with a 2.50 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this season. 

Why the New York Rangers will win

• The home team has won each of the Sabres’ last five games.
• The Sabres have lost three of their last four games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Rangers have covered the puck line in each of their last seven home games.
• The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Sabres have lost the second period in each of their last five games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents when trailing after the first period.

Why the Buffalo Sabres will win

• The Sabres have won four of their last five road games against the Rangers.
• The Rangers have lost each of their last three night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games at Madison Square Garden.
• The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight Wednesday games at Madison Square Garden.
• The Rangers have lost the second period in six of their last seven games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Seven of the Sabres’ last eight night games against opponents on a winning streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Rangers’ last four home games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 12 of the Rangers’ last 13 games following a win.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in four of the Sabres’ last five games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.

New York Rangers Player Prop Facts

• Mika Zibanejad has scored a goal in three of the Rangers’ last four home games against the Sabres.
• Adam Fox has recorded at least one assist in six of the Rangers’ last seven games.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

• Alex Tuch has scored at least one goal in each of his three previous appearances with his team as a road favorite against the Rangers.
• Joshua Norris has recorded an assist in each of his last six appearances with his team as a road favorite against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Sabres vs Rangers Prediction 

New York comes into this matchup as the bottom team in the Metro standings, but they have won five of their last six and will be at home. The Rangers are 14-19-7 at home this year, while the Sabres are 22-13-4 on the road. Buffalo is fighting with Tampa Bay for the first spot in the Atlantic, but they have been outscored 10-3 in their last two road games. I really like how New York is playing, so give me the Rangers and the plus money.

David Racey's Pick: Rangers ML