Sabres vs. Rangers | How to watch, lineup notes, and storylines
Buffalo looks to build on its momentum from before the break.
The Buffalo Sabres are back in action Saturday versus the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center.
With four players back from the 4 Nations Face-Off and three others returning from injury, the Sabres are ready to begin this final, 28-game stretch of the regular season.
“We’re ready to go,” said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff. “I think the guys are excited to get back at it.”
Twelve points out of a wild card spot, Buffalo looks to maintain its momentum from before the break and climb back into contention. That challenge begins against the Rangers, who’ve stabilized with an 11-5-3 record since the New Year and currently sit on the cusp of the playoff picture.
The puck drops at 5:30 p.m. Here’s what you need to know in the meantime.
TV (Buffalo broadcast market): MSG (Pregame coverage begins at 5 p.m.)
Streaming (out of market): ESPN+
Radio: WGR 550
Click here for more ways to watch Sabres games.
After Friday’s practice, Ruff said Jordan Greenway (middle body), Mattias Samuelsson (lower body) and Beck Malenstyn should all be available to play Saturday.
Greenway last played Dec. 15 before undergoing surgery; the injury has limited him to 20 games this season.
Samuelsson, who broke a bone in his foot while blocking a shot Feb. 2, missed Buffalo’s last two games before the break.
Malenstyn exited the Feb. 4 game versus Columbus with back spasms and also dealt with the illness that hit several Sabres players. Ruff said he “looks like he’s in a good place.”
Here are the lines from warmups:
1. Where were we?
The Sabres were playing some of their best hockey of the season before the two-week hiatus, winning four of their last five games. Before losing Feb. 8 at Nashville, Buffalo scored 18 goals in a perfect, 4-0-0 homestand.
Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka lead the team with four goals apiece in the last five games. Alex Tuch has heated up with back-to-back three-point games and eight points (3+5) in the last four.
Rasmus Dahlin has seven assists in five games and 22 since Dec. 23 – tied with Nikita Kucherov for second most in the NHL during that span. His defensive partner Bowen Byram has found a scoring touch as well, totaling five points (2+3) in the last three contests.
As a result, the Sabres are tied for second in the NHL with 4.40 goals scored per game since Jan. 28. Combine that with a modest 26.8 shots on goal against per game, and it’s no mystery why Buffalo earned eight of a possible 10 points heading into the break.
2. 4 Nations, 4 Sabres
Each of the Sabres’ 4 Nations Face-Off representatives returned to Buffalo for one or more team practices this week.
Dahlin averaged 17:46 of ice time in three games, scored a goal and, as the youngest defensemen in Sweden’s room, impressed teammates with his all-around performance.
Finland’s Henri Jokiharju also scored a goal and averaged 17:14 of ice time across three games, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the third goalie, didn’t dress for any of the round robin contests.
And Thompson was summoned to Boston ahead of Thursday’s championship game as a potential injury replacement. He watched Canada’s overtime victory from the press box, though, as the United States didn’t fall below 18 healthy skaters to open a roster spot.
Ruff feels the tournament experience will greatly benefit Buffalo’s participants.
“They get to see some of the best in the world – how they prepare, the work they do, the off-ice – and I think it’ll make all those guys better players,” he said. “And they lend that to their teammates, and it should make the teammates better.”
3. Scouting the Rangers
The Sabres have had mixed results versus New York this season, with a 6-1 win Nov. 7 at Madison Square Garden and a 3-2 loss Dec. 11 on home ice. In the loss, Buffalo finally broke through with a pair of late, third-period goals, but Adam Fox’s empty netter secured a Rangers victory.
Goalie Igor Shesterkin owns a 2.87 goals-against average and .906 save percentage this season, but he’s lost four of his last five games with an .835 save percentage.
Artemi Panarin leads the team with 57 points (23+34). Fox ranks second on the Rangers with 44 points and fifth among NHL defensemen with 40 assists.
Forward J.T. Miller, acquired Jan. 31 from Vancouver, has two goals and two assists in his second stint with the club. Neither he, Fox, nor forward Vincent Trocheck recorded a point in four games for Team USA at 4 Nations.
News Feed
How to watch
Lineup notes (updated 5:05 p.m.)
Storylines
Game notes
Practice Report | Dahlin, Jokiharju return as Sabres resume play at full strength
Prospects Report | How young talent has helped propel Amerks to 1st place under Michael Leone
Ryan Miller’s ‘Catwalk for Charity’ event returns on April 10
“Be the change” | Black hockey flourishes in Harlem, N.Y.
Practice Report | Luukkonen returns as Sabres look ahead to stretch run
Practice Report | Thompson talks 4 Nations as Sabres return from break
Injuries and transactions | Malenstyn returns to practice
4 Nations ‘a dream come true’ for Rasmus Dahlin
‘A unique experience for me’ | Jokiharju soaks in 4 Nations Face-Off
Sabres at 4 Nations | How to watch, schedule, and updated results
Sabres to hold Black History Celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 25
Sabres’ comeback falls short in Nashville
At the Horn | Predators 6 – Sabres 4
Sabres at Predators | How to watch, lineup notes, and storylines
Practice Report | Thompson returns, expects to play Saturday
Prospects Report | Leinonen thriving with heavier workload
Practice Report | Wilford breaks down defensemen’s rush play
‘Good, all-around effort’ extends Sabres’ win streak to 4
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| Forwards | ||
| 77 JJ Peterka | 20 Jiri Kulich | 72 Tage Thompson |
| 17 Jason Zucker | 71 Ryan McLeod | 89 Alex Tuch |
| 12 Jordan Greenway | 24 Dylan Cozens | 22 Jack Quinn |
| 29 Beck Malenstyn | 19 Peyton Krebs | 9 Zach Benson |
| Defensemen | Goalies | |
| 4 Bowen Byram | 26 Rasmus Dahlin | 1 Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen |
| 25 Owen Power | 23 Mattias Samuelsson | 47 James Reimer |
| 8 Dennis Gilbert | 10 Henri Jokiharju |
Game #55 Preview & Open Thread: Rangers vs. Sabres
Puck Drop: 5:30 PM EDT | Keybank Center | Buffalo, N.Y.
TV: MSG-B, ESPN+
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
Record: 27-24-4 | 58 PTS
Division Ranking: 5th in the Metropolitan
Last Game: 4-3 win over Columbus
PP: 20th 20.6% (Sabres 27th 16.7%)
PK: 6th 82.2% (Sabres 19th 78.3%)
What to Watch (Note the early start time of 5:30 pm)
Winger Jordan Greenway has been back skating and then practicing with the Sabres for nearly three weeks now. He appears ready to go after his surgery sidelined him since mid December. His return is slightly ahead of schedule. “Right now all plans are that he’s ready to go,” coach Lindy Ruff said following Tuesday’s practice, the team’s first after the break. His solid defensive game and steady presence with be a welcome addition to the lineup. Also returning with be forward Beck Malenstyn, sidelined with back spasms since Feb. 2nd. Having both players back will be a nice boost to the bottom six. Mattias Samuelsson, after breaking a bone in his foot, is also slotted to return against New York. Sammy was sidelined in the same game as the Tage Thompson injury incident. The team’s lack of response drew the ire of Coach Ruff, Samuelsson especially. It seems Lindy’s displeasure is short lived though as Buffalo’s defender will return today. Or maybe not, judging by Sammy’s forth pairing in practice on Friday. We shall see.
With a seemingly full and healthy lineup, it will be interesting to see what this team can put forth in the final 1/3 of the season. Clearly all the pieces are not here yet to be a playoff caliber team. But some surely are. We need them and every player still here to lay it all out there, to be at their very best. Winning hockey games should be a priority, as well as our struggling players bouncing back. Evaluation from management will be happening as well, so the team identifies which core players they are moving forth with. Then again, management itself should be facing evaluation too at seasons end.
I would like to see the Sabres win at least 15 of the remaining 27 games. 15-10-2 is not too much to ask after the disappointment of this season. That record to close things out gets them on track as a team and establishes a winning mindset. It also gets them to the NHL .500 mark. A little mojo for the players going into next season. The last thing they need is to bottom out and go into the summer clinging to the losing culture. Show us what you got. Finish strong and leave the fans wanting more. The SABRES should be hungry to play more games when the season ends. Let us hope that is the case.
Rasmus Dahlin (1-7) and Tage Thompson (4-4) and Alex Tuch (3-5) all have 8 points in their last 5 games. The three of them are playing pretty great hockey right now. JJ Peterka (4-2) has 6 points in his last 5 games but none in his last 2. Most of that success (4 points) was in one game against Boston. Bowen Byram is also scoring at a strong pace lately, with 2 goals and 4 assists in his last 5. Elsewhere, Jason Zucker (2-3) and Ryan McLeod (2-2) are chipping in at a good clip too.
Players we would like to see more from offensively include Dylan Cozens (1-2) in his last 5 and Jack Quinn (0-2) in that same time span. Peyton Krebs is scoreless over his last 5 contests but at least his plus/minus is even. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has given up 16 goals in his last 5 games with an unsavory save percentage. His below average play is more impactful on the team though than the others. Buffalo needs UPL playing at a higher level down the stretch.
For the Rangers, Mika Zibanejad (2-6) has 8 points in his last 5 games. Vincent Trocheck has 2 goals and 3 assists over that same period. New York looks to have Igor Shesterkin in the lineup as well after his injury. His recovery time lined up perfectly with the 4 Nations tournament. He practiced with the Rangers starting on Wednesday at the MSG Training Center, and when asked if he’ll be ready to go when the season resumes Saturday, he responded, “Of course.”
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
J.J. Peterka – Jiri Kulich – Tage Thompson
Jason Zucker – Ryan McLeod – Alex Tuch
Jordan Greenway – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn
Beck Malenstyn – Peyton Krebs – Zach Benson
(Sam Lafferty)
Defense
Bowen Byram – Rasmus Dahlin
Owen Power – Connor Clifton
Mattias Samuelsson? – Henri Jokiharju
(Jacob Bryson, Dennis Gilbert)
Goaltenders
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (expected), James Reimer
New York Rangers
Forwards
Artemi Panarin – J.T. Miller – Alexis Lafreniere
Will Cuylle – Vincent Trochek – Jimmy Vesey
Chris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Arthur Kaliyev
Reilly Smith – Sam Carrick – Matt Rempe
Defense
Ryan Lindgren – Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller – Will Borgen
Urho Vaakanainen – Brandon Schneider
Goaltenders
Igor Shesterkin (expected), Jonathan Quick
N.Y. Rangers (27-24-4) at Buffalo Sabres (22-27-5)
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Rangers vs Sabres Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game
The Sabres were starting to catch fire entering the 4 Nations break. Tage Thompson & Co. will pick up where they left off and the Rangers will provide enough offense to help clear the total.
This article contains predictions for an old game!
The New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres are set to resume NHL action for the first time in about two weeks. That’s significant time and it’ll be an adjustment for the guys who weren’t participating in the 4 Nations Face-Off to get back into rhythm.
My Rangers vs. Sabres predictions will focus on the goaltending and the poor team defense on both sides that have been consistent throughout the season.
My NHL picks explain further for this 5:30 p.m. puck drop on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025.
My best bet
Over 6.5 (+100 at FanDuel)
My analysis
The New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres have both been at the bottom of the league all season long when it comes to defensive metrics, and their goaltenders, respectfully, have not been at the top of their game.
For the Rangers, it’s uncertain if Igor Shesterkin or Jonathan Quick will get the nod. Based on reports, it sounds like Shesterkin is good to go, but due to the fact he was injured before the 4 Nations break, Peter Laviolette might give him the extra day of rest before they have to take on Pittsburgh tomorrow.
Whether it’s Quick or Shesterkin, it doesn’t necessarily matter because either will get tested. The Rangers surrender the league’s fourth-most high-danger chances per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 (12.17), and they’re getting back four significant members of their team who might be a little tired from the tournament, as J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck, Adam Fox, and Chris Kreider are all expected to play today.
For the Sabres, they didn’t have many representatives at the 4 Nations tournament and while they’ve had the same amount of rest as the Rangers, they will hit the ground running. Buffalo’s season has not been what it would have liked as it sits in the Eastern Conference’s basement.
The Sabres have been a disaster in their defensive zone as well, but Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has done all he can to keep his team competitive. That said, Luukkonen is skating to a .895 save percentage and a 3.02 goals-against average, so the numbers haven’t been all that great. In his defense, he doesn’t get a ton of help.
Both teams allow north of three goals per game, Buffalo surrendering 3.41, which is the fifth-most in the NHL, while the Rangers give up the 12th-most at 3.05 per.
On the offensive side, both can score at will. In return game from an extended break, I’ll rely on the goal-scoring over the net-minders.
Over 6.5
Sabres moneyline
Tage Thompson 1+ points
These games are always a bit hard to read, but the Sabres did have a good thing going before the break, winning four of their last five. They’re getting a very motivated Tage Thompson, who wanted nothing more than to be a part of Team USA but was snubbed in the team’s selection. That said, this Rangers team has been very inconsistent and should not be trusted in the first game back from break.
Thompson had eight points in the five games leading into the tournament and he seems like a man on a mission this season. After a slow start, Thompson now has 48 points in 48 games and could potentially hit the 40-goal mark this season.
He got the call to be in Boston for the championship game but didn’t crack the lineup. If there’s someone with a chip on his shoulder to have a strong finish to the season, it’s Thompson.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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17:30 ET
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The Over has hit in four of the Buffalo Sabres last five games.. Find more NHL betting trends for Rangers vs. Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres
No Injuries Reported
New York Rangers
Player Position Status
Mika Zibanejad C
Day To Day – Illness
Reported: Tue, February 18
Adam Edstrom C
Out – Lower Body
Reported: Tue, February 4
Not intended for use in MA.
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Jonny Lazarus has loved hockey for as long as he can remember. After his Division I playing career at UMass-Amherst and Mercyhurst University came to an end in 2020, he transitioned from being a player to working in the media. He might be young in his career, but he has made appearances in numerous places like the NHL, Bleacher Report, as well as The Action Network, and this season he will be doing color commentary for a selection of UMass-Amherst hockey games.
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| Location | KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY |
| Date | Saturday, 2-22-2025 |
| Puck drop | 5:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | MSG, MSG-B |
