In this article, we will formulate a Sabres vs Islanders Prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 24th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
New York Islanders Preview
The Islanders have 59 points this season with a 27-18-5 record, and are 26-24 ATS and 22-26 in over/under. They have a 14-8-2 home record and a 13-10-3 road record and are sitting 3rd in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 4-1 road loss to the Kraken, and their previous three games were a 4-3 road win over the Canucks, a 4-2 road loss to the Flames, and a 1-0 road win over the Oilers.
Offensively, the Islanders are averaging 2.84 goals per game and are scoring 15.9% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 2.72 goals per game and are killing 82.1% of their opponent’s power plays.
Mathew Barzal leads the Islanders with 41 points and 30 assists, while Bo Horvat leads the team in goals with 21. Ilya Sorokin is the starting goalie for the Islanders, and he has a 16-12-2 record, with 2.51 GAA and .914 SV%. David Rittich is the backup goalie and he has a 11-6-3 record, with 2.49 GAA and .906 SV%.
Buffalo Sabres Preview
The Sabres have 61 points this season with a 28-17-5 record, and are 28-22 ATS and 24-23 in over/under. They have a 16-6-3 home record and a 12-11-2 road record and are sitting 4th in the Atlantic Division. They are coming off a 4-2 road win over the Canadiens, and their previous three games were a 5-3 road win over the Predators, a 2-1 road loss to the Hurricanes, and a 5-4 home overtime loss to the Wild.
Offensively, the Sabres are averaging 3.28 goals per game and are scoring 19% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.10 goals per game and are killing 83.2% of their opponent’s power plays.
Tage Thompson leads the Sabres with 52 points and 26 goals, adding a team-high 26 assists. Alex Lyon is the starting goalie for the Sabres, and he has a 11-6-3 record, with 2.83 GAA and .907 SV%. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the backup goalie and he has a 11-7-2 record, with 2.66 GAA and .905 SV%.
Buffalo Sabres @ New York Islanders Betting Trends: January 24, 2026
Why the New York Islanders will win
- The Islanders have won each of their last six home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Sabres have lost each of their last four day games.
- The Islanders have covered the puck line in each of their last six home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four day games following a road win.
- The Islanders have won the third period in each of their last four home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won each of their last seven games as underdogs following a road win.
- The Islanders have lost eight of their last 10 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last eight games as underdogs.
- The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in 12 of their last 13 games as favorites.
- The Islanders have lost the first period in each of their last five home games following a road loss.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last six road games following a road win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Eight of the Islanders’ last nine games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last seven games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last seven games as favorites.
New York Islanders Player Prop Facts
- Anthony Duclair has scored at least one goal in four of the Islanders’ last five games.
- Mathew Barzal has recorded at least one assist in each of the Islanders’ last five games as favorites.
- Jonathan Drouin has recorded a faceoff win percentage of 83.3% against the Sabres this season – most against any opponent.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Jason Zucker has scored a goal in four of his last five road appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Tage Thompson has recorded at least one assist in five of the Sabres’ last six games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Jason Zucker has recorded 66 career hits against the Islanders – equal-most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Matchup/League Facts
- The New York Islanders rank 29th in the league in power play percentage this season (15.89%).
- The New York Islanders rank 5th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.72).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 7th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (83.21%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank T1st in the league in short handed goals this season (7).
Sabres vs Islanders Prediction
In their previous meeting earlier this season, the Sabres won 3-2 at home in a shootout and are 4-2 in their last 6 meetings against the Islanders.
In this Sabres vs Islanders Prediction, the Islanders are coming as -115 home favorites. Both teams have almost the same number of points and overall wins this season but the Islanders have been slightly better at home, while the Sabres have been weaker on the road. Both teams have been mediocre lately, with 5-5 and 2-2 records in their last 10 and 4 games respectively, so I see no value on either side. Both teams are 14-5-1 to the over in their last 20 games combined and with today’s total set at 6 goals, which gives us push protection, I will go over that number.