Location: Madison Square Garden — New York, NY
Faceoff: 7:00 PM ET (TNT national broadcast)
Setting: One of the league’s most iconic and high‑pressure buildings, especially with the Rangers riding a late‑season surge.
Injury Report
No major new injuries were reported in the sourced previews. Both teams are expected to start their primary goaltenders:
Buffalo: Ukko‑Pekka Luukkonen (expected)
New York: Igor Shesterkin (expected)
Team Records & Standings
Buffalo Sabres (47‑23‑8)
Points: 102
Road Record: 22‑13‑4
Recent Form: 3 wins in last 5
Goals/Game: 3.40
Goals Against/Game: 2.99
Special Teams: 20.4% PP, 82.0% PK
**New York Rangers (33‑36‑
Coming off a dominant performance vs. Washington.
Edge: Slight to Buffalo based on season‑long consistency, but Shesterkin is capable of stealing games at MSG.
Key Player Matchups
Buffalo Sabres
Tage Thompson: 38 G, 40 A — elite dual‑threat scorer.
Alex Tuch: 30 G, 32 A — power forward driving transition.
Rasmus Dahlin: 10 pts (5 G, 5 A) in last 10 games.
New York Rangers
Mika Zibanejad: 33 G, 42 A — primary offensive engine.
Adam Fox: 15 pts (3 G, 12 A) in last 10 — elite puck‑moving defenseman.
Will Cuylle: Hat trick vs. Washington; emerging scoring threat.
Series History
Buffalo won the most recent meeting 5–2 at MSG.
Sabres have won 6 of the last 10 head‑to‑head matchups.
Rangers, however, are playing their best hockey of the season entering this matchup.
Betting Trends Market Notes
Trend Highlights
Buffalo has lost three straight road games.
Rangers have won five of their last six.
Under 6.5 is favored in market pricing.
Game Odds
Buffalo Sabres – 148
New York Rangers 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, April 7, 2026
