Buffalo Sabres vs New York Rangers Picks and Predictions February 22nd 2025

Buffalo Sabres vs New York Rangers February 22nd 2025

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Rangers and Sabres. The game is starting at 5:30 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Sabres at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. Get ready to place your bets! In this Eastern matchup, the Rangers are favored by -1.5 goals against the Sabres. The over/under for the game is 6.5 goals.

New York vs. Buffalo Key Information

• Teams: Rangers at Sabres
• Where: KeyBank Center Buffalo
• Date: Saturday, February 22nd
• Betting Odds NYR -120 | BUF +101 O/U 6.5

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The Rangers Can Win If…

With a 5-2 win over the Islanders, the Rangers improved to 27-24-4. As -1.5 goal favorites, they covered the puck line, and the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.

Four different players contributed to the Rangers’ scoring, with Artemi Panarin leading the way with two goals. The Rangers held a 3-2 lead going into the third period before adding two more goals to secure the victory.

In their 5-2 win over the Islanders, the Rangers fired 40 shots on goal. Artemi Panarin scored twice, including his 9th goal on an empty net. Earlier, he netted his 8th on a power play. Chris Kreider opened the scoring with his 8th goal, while Vincent Trocheck added his 4th. Adam Edstrom also found the net for the first time this season.

Mika Zibanejad contributed with his 8th assist on Panarin’s empty-netter and his 7th earlier in the game. The Rangers scored once in the first period, twice in the second, and added two more in the third.

Defensively, the Rangers will look to carry over their third-period performance from their last game, where they held the Islanders scoreless. Igor Shesterkin made 35 saves with a 94.6% save percentage, and the Rangers’ defense added 10 takeaways, 19 hits, and 18 blocks.

• New York has put together a record of 2-1 over their past three games. Across these games, they have put together an puck line mark of 0-3 as well as an over-under record of 1-2.
• Across New York’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 5-5. Across these games, their puck line record was just 3-7, while posting an over-under record of 5-5.

The Sabres Can Win If…

After a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings, the Sabres fell to 22-27-5 for the season. Buffalo held a 1-0 lead after the first period, but Detroit responded with two goals in the second to secure the win. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for just 3, and Buffalo, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover.

Alex Tuch scored the Sabres’ only goal, finding the net at 11:39 in the first period. Buffalo’s defense held strong in the first, but the Red Wings tied it up at 7:49 in the second and took the lead at 14:38, both on power plays.

Buffalo’s offense was limited to just one goal in their 2-1 loss to Detroit. Alex Tuch netted his 5th goal of the season, scoring on a shorthanded opportunity 8:21 into the first period. The Sabres fired 32 shots on goal but were unable to find the back of the net again.

Buffalo recorded 13 giveaways and didn’t register any assists in the game. After Tuch’s early goal, the Sabres were held scoreless for the remainder of the contest.

Defensively, the Sabres gave up both of their goals in the second period, with each coming on the power play. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finished with 21 saves and a 91.3% save percentage. The defense also added 5 takeaways and 17 hits.

• Spanning across their last three games, Buffalo have gone 2-1. However, they have only gone 1-2 vs. the puck line over this stretch. Their over-under record in these three games was 2-1.
• The Sabres have gone 5-5 over their last ten regular season games. In these contests, the team went just 5-5 against the spread, while going 7-3 on the over-under.

The Lean

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Sabres to secure a victory over the Rangers at home. With the moneyline currently set at +101, I’m locking in my bet on the Sabres straight-up.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Sabres winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Sabres straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

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New York and Buffalo Face Off in Crucial Playoff Push

The New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres resume their regular-season schedules on Saturday following the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. With both teams eyeing a strong finish, this matchup carries significant playoff implications, particularly for the Rangers, who are battling for a wild-card spot.

Rangers Aim to Build on Recent Success

New York won three of their last four games before the break, including a 4-3 road victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Feb. 8. Despite sitting fifth in the Metropolitan Division with 58 points, they are only three points behind the last Eastern Conference wild-card spot, making every game crucial in their postseason chase.

Goaltending Decision: Shesterkin or Quick?

A major storyline for the Rangers is the expected return of Igor Shesterkin, who has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since Feb. 7. The former Vezina Trophy winner has struggled this season with an 18-19-2 record, a 2.87 goals-against average, and a .906 save percentage, but his return could provide a much-needed boost.

If Shesterkin isn’t ready, veteran Jonathan Quick will step in. Quick recently made history as the first American-born goalie to reach 400 wins, and his experience could prove valuable as the Rangers push for the playoffs.

Impact of 4 Nations Face-Off Participation

Six Rangers players competed in the 4 Nations Face-Off, which Team Canada won in an overtime thriller against Team USA on Thursday night. Adam Fox, J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck, and Chris Kreider represented the United States, Mika Zibanejad played for Sweden, and Urho Vaakanainen suited up for Finland.

This tournament exposure could impact player fatigue, but it also means these stars are battle-ready heading into a crucial stretch.

Sabres Fight to Stay Relevant in Playoff Race

The Buffalo Sabres may be at the bottom of the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference with 49 points, but they have shown signs of life, winning four of their last five games before the break. Despite a 6-4 home loss to the Nashville Predators on Feb. 8, Buffalo is determined to turn the remainder of the season into their own playoff push.

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Tage Thompson’s Motivation After Team USA Snub

One of Buffalo’s biggest storylines is Tage Thompson, who leads the team with 48 points (26 goals, 22 assists) in 48 games. Surprisingly, he was left off Team USA’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off, a move that has fueled his motivation.

“I think not being selected gives you a little bit of that hunger, a chip on your shoulder to try and prove something,” Thompson said. “But those things take care of themselves if you’re doing the right things to help your team.”

With a strong second half, Thompson could prove his doubters wrong while giving Buffalo a fighting chance in the standings.

Sabres Get Key Players Back from Injury

Buffalo will benefit from the return of two crucial players:

• Jordan Greenway, who has missed 23 games with a mid-body injury.
• Mattias Samuelsson, who has been out for two games with a broken foot sustained on Feb. 2.

Both players should provide a physical and defensive boost, helping the Sabres compete against a high-powered Rangers offense.

Final Season Meeting: Head-to-Head History

This will be the third and final meeting between these two teams this season:

• Dec. 11: Rangers won 3-2 in Buffalo.
• Nov. 7: Sabres dominated 6-1 in New York.

With both teams seeking post-break momentum, this game could be a defining moment in their seasons.

What’s at Stake?

For the Rangers, a win would keep them in the playoff hunt and potentially move them closer to a wild-card spot. For the Sabres, it’s about proving they’re not out of the fight and using this game to build confidence for a late-season surge.

With Shesterkin’s return, Thompson’s motivation, and two teams desperate for points, this matchup is set to be a thrilling battle on the ice.