New York Islanders vs Buffalo Sabres Betting Pick & Prediction for 3/31

bangthebook nhl game preview

The New York Islanders are set to play against the Buffalo Sabres in an NHL regular season game. This game will take place at the KeyBank Center. Fans can catch the action on ESPN+ on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

The Islanders come into this game with a record of 42-28-5. They rank third in the Eastern Metropolitan Division. On the other side, the Sabres hold a record of 45-21-8. They are second in the Eastern Atlantic Division. Both teams are aiming to improve their standings as the season progresses.

Islanders vs Sabres Game Day Info

  • Sport: NHL
  • Teams: New York Islanders vs. Buffalo Sabres
  • Venue: KeyBank Center
  • Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
  • Betting Odds: New York Islanders +162, Buffalo Sabres -192

New York Islanders Team Preview

The New York Islanders have had mixed results in their recent games. They suffered a tough loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins with a score of 8-3. However, they secured a win against the Florida Panthers, scoring 5 goals to the Panthers’ 2.

Mathew Barzal has been a key player for the Islanders. He contributed with 1 goal and 1 assist in the game against the Penguins. Barzal has played in 74 games this season, scoring 19 goals and providing 48 assists.

In goal, Ilya Sorokin has played 49 games, recording 28 wins and 19 losses. He had a strong performance against the Dallas Stars, making 26 saves and allowing only 1 goal. Sorokin will look to maintain his form in the upcoming games.

Buffalo Sabres Team Preview

The Buffalo Sabres had a strong performance in their recent game against the Seattle Kraken, winning 3-2. Peyton Krebs, Tage Thompson, and Rasmus Dahlin were key skaters in this game. The team managed 36 shots on goal and scored one power play goal.

In the previous game, the Sabres faced a tough loss against the Detroit Red Wings, 5-2. Despite the loss, Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin each scored a goal. The Sabres recorded 30 shots on goal but struggled to convert on the power play.

Against the Boston Bruins, the Sabres lost 4-3, but they managed two power play goals. Jason Zucker stood out with two goals in the game. The team had 25 shots on goal and registered 13 blocks, showing effort on defense.

BTB Betting Pick

The Buffalo Sabres are the favorites to win against the New York Islanders. With a moneyline of -192, the Sabres have a strong chance to come out on top. The projected score is Buffalo 4, New York 3, indicating a close game but a win for Buffalo.

The total for the game is set at 6.5. The projection of a 4-3 score suggests taking the over at +103. Both teams have solid offensive numbers, making a higher-scoring game likely.