Game Details
Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.
Venue: Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001. This historic arena, opened in 1968 with a seating capacity of 18,006 for hockey, is the home of the New York Rangers and known for its electrifying atmosphere, iconic ceiling, and passionate fan base. Located in Midtown Manhattan, it often provides a significant home-ice advantage, especially in high-stakes Eastern Conference games like this one.
Recent Team Forms
The Sabres are on an impressive run, winning 11 of their last 12, while the Rangers have been inconsistent but competitive at home. Here’s a breakdown of their last five games (most recent first):
Buffalo Sabres (5-0 in last 5; streak: W11):
Win 5-3 vs. Vancouver (Jan 6; Tage Thompson 2 goals, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen 35 saves).
Win 5-1 at Columbus (Jan 3; balanced attack with 5 different scorers).
Win 8-2 at Montreal (Jan 1; offensive explosion, 4 power-play goals).
Win 5-3 vs. Ottawa (Dec 30; comeback from 2-0 deficit).
Win 4-3 OT at Toronto (Dec 28; OT winner sealed 10th straight win). Buffalo has averaged 5.4 goals per game in this streak while allowing 2.4, with a dominant 11-1 road record in their surge. Their power play has clicked at 35% recently.
New York Rangers (3-2 in last 5; streak: W1):
Win 5-1 vs. Florida (Jan 5; Artemi Panarin 2 goals, Igor Shesterkin 32 saves before injury).
Loss 2-3 OT vs. Utah (Jan 3; OT loss after tying late, Shesterkin injured).
Loss 1-4 vs. Pittsburgh (Jan 1; outscored 0-3 in second).
Win 4-3 vs. Pittsburgh (Dec 30; power play 2-for-3).
Loss 2-4 at Boston (Dec 28; outshot 30-24). New York has averaged 2.8 goals per game recently while allowing 3.0, with home strength (12-8-3 at MSG). Their penalty kill ranks top-10 at 84.2%.
Series History
The Rangers hold a slight all-time edge in this rivalry, leading 94-92-25-4 in regular-season meetings. New York has won 6 of the last 10 games, with an average total of 5.8 goals.
Previous Meeting (2025-26 Season): October 9, 2025 – Rangers 4-0 (at Madison Square Garden; shutout with 33 saves).
Other Recent Games: February 22, 2025 – Sabres 2-8 (blowout loss); December 11, 2024 – Sabres 3-2; April 10, 2023 – Sabres 3-2. The series often features competitive, mid-scoring games (average margin 2.2 goals in last 5). The under has hit in 5 of 10 recent matchups. Buffalo’s last win at MSG was March 31, 2023 (3-2).
Injury Report
Injuries have ravaged the Rangers’ core, while the Sabres enter with minor issues. Updates as of January 8, 2026:
Buffalo Sabres:
Tyson Kozak (C): Day-to-Day – Upper Body (questionable; if out, impacts bottom-six energy).
Jiri Kulich (C): Out – Ear (infection; expected back Jan 10; prospect sidelined).
Justin Danforth (RW): Out – Lower Body (IR; reevaluated weekly; depth forward missing).
Michael Kesselring (D): IR – Lower Body (placed Jan 6; out indefinitely; blue line depth hit). Buffalo’s lineup is mostly intact, but forward depth is tested.
New York Rangers:
Igor Shesterkin (G): Out – Lower Body (IR; placed Jan 6, out indefinitely; star goaltender sidelined after Jan 3 injury).
Adam Fox (D): Out – Lower Body (LTIR; placed Jan 6, out indefinitely; top defenseman missing).
J.T. Miller (LW): Day-to-Day – Upper Body (poised for return; if plays, boosts forward group).
Alexis Lafreniere (LW): Day-to-Day – Illness (questionable; top-line winger).
Adam Edstrom (LW): Day-to-Day – Lower Body (questionable; depth forward). The Rangers’ defense and goaltending are severely compromised, forcing Jonathan Quick (.902 SV%) into the starter role.
Key Player Matchups
With the Rangers shorthanded, these battles could swing the game in a projected mid-scoring affair.
Tage Thompson (BUF, C) vs. Mika Zibanejad (NYR, C): Thompson (team-high 22 goals) dominates with his shot; Zibanejad (18 goals) must win key faceoffs (52% rate) to limit Buffalo’s rush.
Rasmus Dahlin (BUF, D) vs. Artemi Panarin (NYR, LW): Dahlin (40 points from blue line) drives transitions; Panarin (16 goals, 24 assists) tests his coverage with creativity.
Alex Tuch (BUF, RW) vs. K’Andre Miller (NYR, D): Tuch (19 goals) brings speed; Miller must use physicality to contain him, especially with Fox out.
Goaltending: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (BUF, .912 SV%) vs. Jonathan Quick (NYR, .902 SV%) – Luukkonen’s hot streak could be decisive.
Betting Trends
Buffalo Sabres: 23-18 ATS overall; 12-9 ATS on the road. Overs have hit in 7 of last 10 during win streak, and as favorites, 15-4 SU but 12-7 ATS. 11-1 ATS in last 12 games.
New York Rangers: 21-23 ATS; 11-12 ATS at home. Unders in 6 of last 10, but as underdogs, 8-10 SU and 10-8 ATS. 3-2 ATS in last 5.
Head-to-Head Trends: Under in 5 of last 10 (avg. 5.8 goals); Rangers 5-5 SU in last 10, but Sabres 4-3 ATS as underdogs. Home teams 6-4 ATS recently.
League-Wide: NHL overs hit 53% in Eastern matchups; road favorites like Buffalo are 56% ATS this season.
Game Odds
Buffalo Sabres – 125
New York Rangers 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 7, 2026
