The 2025-26 NHL season delivers an Atlantic vs. Metropolitan Division clash as the New York Islanders travel to face the Buffalo Sabres. The Islanders, holding a playoff spot with solid defensive play, aim to build on their recent overtime win over the Sabres and extend their road success. Buffalo, fighting for consistency amid a middling record, seeks revenge at home where they’ve shown flashes of dominance. With both teams dealing with injuries, this afternoon matchup could hinge on special teams and goaltending, potentially low-scoring given recent trends and defensive focuses.
Venue Location
The game will be held at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. This 19,070-seat arena has been the Sabres’ home since 1996 and is known for its passionate fans and modern amenities, often creating a challenging environment for visiting teams.
Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on MSG-B for Sabres fans and MSGSN for Islanders viewers, with streaming available on ESPN+.
Injury Report
New York Islanders: Center Mathew Barzal (Day-to-Day – Undisclosed, estimated return December 19, 2025); Center Bo Horvat (Out – Undisclosed, estimated return December 20, 2025); Center Kyle Palmieri (IR – Undisclosed, estimated return September 15, 2026). These absences impact the Islanders’ forward depth, forcing reliance on secondary scorers like Brock Nelson and Anders Lee.
Buffalo Sabres: Center Tyson Kozak (Day-to-Day – Undisclosed, estimated return December 20, 2025); Defenseman Conor Timmins (Out – Undisclosed, estimated return January 29, 2026); Goaltender Colten Ellis (IR – Undisclosed, estimated return December 20, 2025); Left Wing Jason Zucker (IR – Undisclosed, estimated return December 27, 2025). The Sabres’ depth is tested, particularly in the forward group and blue line.
Player Matchups
This contest features several intriguing battles that could sway the outcome, focusing on offensive stars and defensive pairings:
Mathew Barzal (NYI, C) vs. Tage Thompson (BUF, C): If Barzal plays through his day-to-day status (speed and playmaking, 10 goals), he’ll test Thompson’s two-way game (15 goals, strong faceoffs at 50%), controlling the neutral zone and transitions.
Brock Nelson (NYI, C) vs. Rasmus Dahlin (BUF, D): Nelson (12 goals, net-front presence) faces Dahlin’s offensive output from the blue line (8 goals, 20 assists), a forward-defenseman matchup for high-danger chances.
Anders Lee (NYI, LW) vs. Alex Tuch (BUF, RW): Lee’s physicality (11 goals) meets Tuch’s speed (10 goals), potentially sparking odd-man rushes and board battles.
Ilya Sorokin (NYI, G) vs. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (BUF, G): Sorokin (2.65 GAA, .910 SV%) vs. Luukkonen (2.85 GAA, .900 SV%), in a goaltending duel where New York’s edge could limit Buffalo’s shots.
The Islanders’ veteran forwards give them an offensive advantage, but Buffalo’s youth could exploit gaps if Barzal sits.
Team Records
New York Islanders: 19-13-3 (41 points), 5th in the Metropolitan Division.
Buffalo Sabres: 15-14-4 (34 points), 6th in the Atlantic Division.
Recent Team Forms
The Islanders are 3-2-0 in their last five games, including a 3-2 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 13 and a 5-2 victory over Anaheim on December 11. They averaged 3.2 goals for and 2.8 against, with a power play at 16.5% and penalty kill at 82.3%. Their last 10: 6-4-0, showing resilience but occasional defensive lapses.
Buffalo is 4-1-0 in their last five, with a 5-3 win over Philadelphia on December 18 and a 3-1 victory over Seattle on December 14. They averaged 3.4 goals for and 2.6 against, with a power play at 20.2% and penalty kill at 85.4%. Their last 10: 6-4-0, driven by strong home play but vulnerable in high-scoring affairs.
Series History
The Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders have a competitive all-time series, with Buffalo leading in total wins (91-83, with 18 ties per some sources). At home for Buffalo, they’ve won 41 of 106 games against the Islanders. Recently, the Sabres are 6-4-0 in their last 10 vs. the Islanders, including a 1-0-0 start this season before the recent OT loss. Games average 5.8 goals, with the home team winning 60% of the time. This is the second of three scheduled matchups this season.
Betting Trends
As of December 19, 2025, Buffalo is a slight home favorite across major sportsbooks. Key lines include Sabres moneyline (-149), Islanders (+125); puck line Sabres -1.5 (+165); total O/U 6 (over -110 / under -110). Trends: Over is 15-3-3 in Sabres’ last 21 as home favorites of -110 to -150; under is 4-1-1 in Sabres’ last 6 as home underdogs of +151 to +200. Islanders are 5-5 in last 10 but 3-7 as road underdogs; under is 4-1 in New York’s last 5 vs. Atlantic foes. Head-to-head, Islanders are 7-3 in last 10 straight up, but Sabres cover 50% at home. League-wide December trends favor unders in 55% of games with injury-impacted teams.
Game Odds
New York Islanders 6.5
Buffalo Sabres – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 19, 2025
