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Sabres vs. Rangers prediction: Close contest projected after new data released for Thursday's NHL matchup [1/8/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get Buffalo Sabres vs NY Rangers predictions for NHL Thursday.
The NY Rangers will square off with the Buffalo Sabres, in what is expected to be a close NHL game, at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, beginning at 7:00 PM ET.
Based on updated simulation results, Dimers' proven NHL model gives an equal chance for both both teams to win the Sabres-Rangers matchup.
This article offers further insights into Thursday's Sabres vs. Rangers matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Sabres vs. Rangers prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NHL game between the Sabres and Rangers 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model currently can't split the two teams, giving both the Sabres and Rangers a 50% chance of winning the game.
According to our model, the Rangers (+1.5) have a 71% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of six goals has an equal 50-50 chance of hitting.
Sabres vs. Rangers odds
We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Sabres | Rangers |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | -1.5 (+200) | +1.5 (-235) |
| Moneyline | -125 | +105 |
| Total | o6 (-118) | u6 (-102) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Sabres vs. Rangers picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Rangers +1.5 | -235 |
| Moneyline | Rangers | +105 |
| Total | Under 6 | -102 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Rangers to win.
Sabres vs. Rangers player props
Who will score a goal in Sabres vs. Rangers?
According to our model, Artemi Panarin is most likely to score an anytime goal in Sabres vs. Rangers.
Our projections give Panarin a 39.4% chance of scoring a goal at Madison Square Garden, while the star is an 8.1% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 38.4% |
| Alex Tuch | 25.5% |
| Josh Norris | 24.6% |
| Jason Zucker | 22.7% |
| Josh Doan | 18.9% |
NY Rangers
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Artemi Panarin | 39.4% |
| Mika Zibanejad | 31.9% |
| Vincent Trocheck | 29.1% |
| J.T. Miller | 28.6% |
| Alexis Lafreniere | 24.4% |
First goal scorer predictions
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 7.1% |
| Josh Norris | 4.5% |
| Alex Tuch | 4.2% |
| Jason Zucker | 4.2% |
| Josh Doan | 3.7% |
NY Rangers
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Artemi Panarin | 8.1% |
| Mika Zibanejad | 6.3% |
| Vincent Trocheck | 5.6% |
| J.T. Miller | 5.6% |
| Will Cuylle | 4.8% |
Sabres vs. Rangers game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's game between the Rangers and Sabres at Madison Square Garden is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM ET.
- Who: Buffalo Sabres vs. NY Rangers
- Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET/4:00PM PT
- Venue: Madison Square Garden
Conclusion
We predict a close game between the Sabres and Rangers on Thursday, with each team having a 50% chance of winning.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Sabres vs. Rangers insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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