Venue & Game Info
Location: KeyBank Center, 1 Seymour H. Knox III Plaza, Buffalo, NY 14203
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: MSG, MSG-B, ESPN+
Team Records & Recent Form
New York Rangers (0-1-0): Lost 3-0 to Pittsburgh in their opener. New coach Mike Sullivan’s debut was spoiled as the Rangers were shut out for the first time in a season opener since 2020–21.
Buffalo Sabres (0-0-0): Season opener. Finished 36-39-7 last year, missing the playoffs for the 14th straight season.
Recent Form (last 5, including preseason):
Rangers: L–L–L–W–L
Sabres: L–L–W–L–W
Injury Report
Buffalo Sabres:
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (G) – Lower body, out until at least Oct. 15
Michael Kesselring (D) – Undisclosed, out until Oct. 15
Jordan Greenway (LW) – Lower body, out until Oct. 13
Carson Meyer (RW) – ACL, out indefinitely
Owen Power (D) – Probable, returning from strain
Mattias Samuelsson (D) – Probable, returning from upper-body injury
Zach Benson (LW) – Expected to play after undisclosed issue
New York Rangers: No major injuries reported; J.T. Miller and Artemi Panarin cleared to play.
Player Matchups to Watch
Artemi Panarin (NYR) vs. Rasmus Dahlin (BUF): Panarin remains New York’s top offensive weapon, while Dahlin anchors Buffalo’s blue line.
Mika Zibanejad (NYR) vs. Tage Thompson (BUF): Both centers drive their teams’ top lines and power plays.
Igor Shesterkin (NYR) vs. Alex Lyon (BUF): Shesterkin is elite, but Lyon gets the nod with Luukkonen sidelined—goaltending gap could be decisive.
Series History
2024–25 Season: Rangers won 2 of 3 matchups.
Last 10 Meetings: Buffalo has earned at least one point in 8 of 10.
At KeyBank Center: Rangers won 5–1 in Buffalo’s 2023 opener; Sabres seeking revenge.
Betting Trends
Rangers Trends:
31–22 as moneyline favorite last season
37/82 games went over 6.5 goals
Sabres Trends:
22 upset wins as underdog last season
45/82 games went over 6.5 goals
Game Odds
New York Rangers – 115
Buffalo Sabres 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, October 8, 2025
