April 8, 2026, 1:46 a.m. ET

The Buffalo Sabres (47-23-8) and New York Rangers (33-36-9) meet Wednesday at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. The opening puck drop will be at 7 p.m. ET (TNT / truTV / HBO Max). Let’s analyze NHL odds around the Sabres vs. Rangers odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Season series: Tied 1-1 with each team winning on the road — the Rangers 4-0 Oct. 9 and the Sabres 5-2 Jan. 8

The Sabres are just 3-3-2 over their last 8 games, but are still fighting for first place in the Atlantic Division. Buffalo snapped a 2-game losing streak Monday with a 4-2 triumph (Under 6.5) at home in a -110 pick-’em battle with Tampa Bay Lightning, 1 of the 2 clubs it is battling for the top spot in the Atlantic. With 4 games left apiece, Buffalo, Tampa and Montreal are in a 3-way tie with 102 points each.

The Rangers, long eliminated from the playoff conversation, are also coming off a home win at a -110 price, routing the Washington Capitals 8-1 (Over 6.5) Sunday. New York is 5-1-0 since March 27. All 6 of those games have been at Madison Square Garden; Wednesday’s contest closes out a 7-game home stand.

Watch the NHL on Fubo!Sabres at Rangers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:43 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Sabres -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Rangers +125 (bet $100 to win $125)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Sabres -1.5 (+155) | Rangers +1.5 (-190)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -120 | U: +100)Sabres at Rangers projected goalies

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (20-9-3, 2.55 GAA, .909 SV%) vs. Igor Shesterkin (25-17-6, 2.50 GAA, .912 SV%)

Luukkonen stopped 23 of 25 pucks faced in Monday’s win. He owns a robust .929 SV% since March 17. He has logged a .917 SV% on the road. He’s 3-3-2 with a 2.13 GAA in 8 career games vs. the Rangers.

Shesterkin turned aside 20 of 21 in Sunday’s win over the Caps. The 30-year-old has registered a .938 SV% across his last 4 games. He’s 11-3-2 with a 2.41 GAA in 16 games against the Sabres, including the 4-0 win earlier this season.

Sabres at Rangers picks and predictionsPrediction

Rangers 3, Sabres 2

Buffalo has lost its last 3 road games. New York is 7-5-3 when playing on 2 days’ rest.

A solid Sabres power play has been feast-or-famine and has been on a downturn of late (0 for its last 11). The club’s last 3 losses have all been by multiple goals.

Shesterkin logged a 37-save shutout against Buffalo back on Oct. 9. He owns a career .920 SV% vs. the Sabres and has a history of posting lofty save percentages around this time of year.

The Rangers special teams have been sharp of late. Since March 25, New York has converted 7 of 20 (35%) power plays while holding opponents to a 1-of-20 mark.

For the season, Buffalo has some actual-vs.-expected goals metrics that cast a bit of doubt on their event-strength play.

TAKE RANGERS (+126), which can be found at FanDuel Sportsbook.

No interest; PASS.

Over recent weeks, 5-on-5 metrics make for bearish positions of the two defenses. In other words, the defense/goalie combos have perhaps outplayed their true talent. Otherwise, there is not much ammo for either side of this play. Consider a partial-unit play on the UNDER 6 (+100).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.

Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose.  While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.  We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site.  Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.