Buffalo Sabres vs New York Rangers prediction, Picks and Prediction, Thursday, January 8, 2025

The Buffalo Sabres face the New York Rangers with both teams heading in opposite directions this season. The Sabres have a 22-15-4 and with nine wins in their last 10 games, they have moved only one point out of wild card position in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers are 20-18-6 and with only four wins in their last 10 games, they have the second-worst record in the Metropolitan Division. Who will win this game? Check out our Sabres vs Rangers prediction!

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Buffalo has been great on offense

The Sabres are turning the season around thanks to their offense, which is averaging 3.10 goals per game with 18 goals in the last five games. Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and Josh Doan have combined for 47 goals and 53 assists while defenseman Rasmus Dahlin has added 13 goals and 21 assists from the point to open up the offense.

The offense has been great but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.15 goals per game. Mattias Samuelsson and Bowen Byram have combined for 5.2 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. The hope is that Colten Ellis can step up in the net as he’s expected to make his first start in a month and is coming off a stretch where he allowed 13 goals in three starts.

Key injury report for Sabres

• Alex Lyon (lower body) is out for seven to 10 days. Is part of the goaltending rotation.
• Michael Kesselring is on injured reserve. Is a key part of the defense.

Rangers have been let down by awful offense

The Rangers are having a rough season with their offense letting them down, scoring only 2.59 goals per game with only 12 goals in the last five games. Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad have combined for 31 goals and 52 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only five active skaters have eight goals or more and opponents can eliminate the hapless offense as a result.

The offense has let the Rangers down but the defense has been a bright spot, allowing only 2.73 goals per game. Vladislav Gavrikov and Carson Soucy have combined for 5.1 defensive point shares while William Borgen and Braden Schneider have combined for 4.1 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. The hope is that goaltender Jonathan Quick improves as he’s struggled in recent starts, allowing eight goals in the last two.

Key injury report for Rangers

• Igor Shesterkin was placed on injured reserve. Is the starting goaltender for the Rangers.
• Adam Fox is on injured reserve. Is a key part of the defense.

Sabres vs Rangers Pick

Money Line Pick For Sabres vs Rangers

• Sabres (-120) (4 units)

The Sabres are playing great hockey lately, and I see them taking over this game from the first period. The Sabres, who average 3.10 goals per game, should pile on the goals with Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Sabres should limit a Rangers offense that averages only 2.59 goals per game with Mattias Samuelsson, Bowen Byram, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Colten Ellis blanks the shots on the net. The Sabres should win the game with a strong performance on the road.

Take the Sabres money line as road Favorites.

Over/Under Pick For Sabres vs Rangers

• Over 6 (5 Units)

The Sabres have played great offense lately, and this game looks to be a high-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Rangers should create plenty of scoring chances against the Sabres, who allow 3.15 goals per game, with Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Sabres, who have scored 18 goals in the last five games, should run up the score with Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, Josh Doan, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and creating open shots with effective puck movement as Rasmus Dahlin fires shots on the net from the blue line. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.

Take the Over on 6 goals.