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New York Rangers vs Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The New York Rangers visit the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night at KeyBank Center in a matchup between two Eastern Conference teams eager to set the tone early. The puck drops at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. Mike Sullivan, making his second appearance as Rangers head coach, looks to rebound from a 3-0 opening loss to Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Lindy Ruff’s Sabres begin their season looking to snap a 14-year playoff drought.
Smarter Picks, Better Results
Today’s Plays. Tomorrow’s Profits.
The latest betting odds show New York at -114 on the moneyline, with Buffalo priced at -105. The puck line lists the Rangers -1.5 (+211) and the Sabres +1.5 (-267). The total sits at 6.0 goals (Over -106 / Under -114).
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Line Movement and Odds
Oddsmakers opened this matchup around even, but early money has leaned slightly toward the Rangers after their competitive opener against Pittsburgh. Around 57% of bets and 61% of money are backing New York on the moneyline, while sharps are favoring the under at 6.0 due to both teams’ conservative early-season systems.
The Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin stopped 27 of 28 shots in that loss, maintaining elite form. Buffalo’s goaltending situation remains uncertain, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen ruled out and newcomer Alex Lyon likely starting.
“We’re going to deal with a goaltender being out,” said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff. “We’ve got a chance to prove what we can be by dealing with a little adversity right off the start.”
The Sabres enter 2025-26 with a 36-39-7 record from last season, while New York is 0-1 after dropping its opener under Sullivan.
Matchup Breakdown
New York Rangers Outlook
Sullivan’s debut behind the bench didn’t go as planned, but the Rangers played disciplined hockey, logging 34 hits and 17 blocks while holding Pittsburgh to one even-strength goal. Their defensive structure looks sharp, and Shesterkin remains the backbone. New York’s offense must ignite after going 0-for-2 on the power play and generating 25 shots on goal in the opener. With Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller leading the top line, puck possession and zone entries will be key to breaking through against Buffalo’s transitional defense.
Buffalo Sabres Outlook
Buffalo opens the year at home looking to build confidence and erase years of playoff frustration. Forward Tage Thompson (44 goals, 72 points last season) and Rasmus Dahlin (68 points) headline a dynamic top unit capable of pushing pace. Alex Tuch adds two-way reliability with 67 points and 113 blocks. Ruff’s offseason additions — Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring — add grit, though both are still adapting to his system. The Sabres will need a fast start, especially with Luukkonen sidelined and Lyon handling the crease.
Injuries and Conditions
| Buffalo Sabres | New York Rangers |
|---|---|
| G Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – Out (lower body) | F Filip Chytil – Questionable (upper body) |
| D Michael Kesselring – Out (undisclosed) | D Ryan Lindgren – Probable (maintenance) |
| D Owen Power – Probable (undisclosed) | G Igor Shesterkin – Starting |
| D Mattias Samuelsson – Probable (returning from injury) Buffalo Sabres Injury Report | F Kaapo Kakko – Healthy scratch candidate New York Rangers Injury Report |
Weather: Indoors at KeyBank Center, no weather impact.
Best Bets and Prediction
The Rangers’ defensive foundation and elite goaltending give them a slight edge in a low-scoring contest. Buffalo’s offense has the potential to flash early, but with Lyon in net and key defenders easing back from injury, the Sabres face a tough task against a Rangers team eager to correct opening-night mistakes. Expect a structured game with limited scoring chances on both ends.
Pick: Rangers Moneyline (-114)
Projected Final Score: Rangers 3, Sabres 2
Lean: Under 6.0 (-114)
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| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best Bet | Rangers ML (-114) |
| Confidence Rating | ★★★★☆ |
| Projected Score | Rangers 3, Sabres 2 |
| Total Lean | Under 6.0 (-114) |
| Market Split | 57% bets Rangers, 61% money Rangers |
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