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2025-26 Buffalo Sabres Predictions and Odds to Win Stanley Cup Finals

by Ryan Cobbett - 9/22/2025

Buffalo Sabres predictions Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Last season was another disappointing campaign for the Buffalo Sabres. After finishing with just 79 points, they placed seventh in the Atlantic Division, ahead of only Boston. They finished with a -20-goal differential, and their road struggles were a real hindrance to their season. Buffalo had some major internal concerns both inside the locker room and with the executives in the front office. However, the Sabres did finish the season on a 9-4-1 stretch, which could indicate that the franchise has moved past their internal issues.

Buffalo scoring ability was not the issue last season. They finished with 3.23 GF/G, which placed them in the Top 10 in the league. However, their special teams play was awful. They cashed in on only 18.8% of their man advantage opportunities while their PK% was a mere 76.3%. Tage Thompson led the team with 72 points on 44 goals and 28 assists, and he finally had a solid supporting cast. JJ Peterka and Rasmus Dahlin both finished with 68 points, while Alex Tuch was right on their heels with 67 points. Thompson, Peterka, and Tuch were joined by Jason Zucker and Ryan McLeod as Buffalo players to reach the 20-goal milestone of the season.

The goalie situation did not work as well as some projected. The Sabres ranked 29th in GA/G (3.50) and 30th in SV% (.888). Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen went 24-24-5 and allowed 3.20 GA/G on a .887 SV%. Behind Luukkonen was James Reimer and Devon Levi who combined to go 12-15-2 while Reimer allowed 2.90 GA/G while Levi allowed 4.12 GA/G.

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Seasons come and go, so now it’s time to take a look at what we can expect from the Buffalo Sabres in 2025-26:

Key Additions/Losses

The Sabres did not lose any significant players from last years roster. Connor Clifton and Sam Lafferty mark the only noteworthy subtractions from the roster and those two combined for just 23 points last season.

As for the additions, the Sabres are quickly addressing the goaltending issue by adding Alex Lyon and Alexander Georgiev. Lyon allowed 2.81 GA/G in 30 appearances for Detroit last season while Georgiev had a historically bad season for Colorado and San Jose. The team also added Justin Danforth (21 points) and Conor Timmins (15 points) to add some depth.

X-Factors

The Goaltending- After Luukkonen allowed just 2.57 GA/G in 51 starts in the 2023/24 season, he took a major step back last year. Many thought his performance from two seasons ago indicated that he was budding into one of the star netminders in the NHL. Unfortunately, that hype is no longer surrounding the Fin as the team has now added Georgiev, Lyon, and retained both Reimer and Levi. The leash will be short, but one would think that with five goalies in the mix one of them has to work… right?

Front Office Buy In- The front office did not sell last season as they were rumored to. However, they still have not indicated a total buy in for the upcoming season. The team lacks a star and acquiring one would really elevate the play of Thompson and Dahlin which could turn Buffalo into a wild card hopeful. The front office seems to be heavily fixated on the issue in the crease, but adding a star skater could boost their young core up front.

Goalie Outlook

Luukkonen has proven he can be a top goalie in this league. He has to prove consistency though after taking a big step back last season. Reimer is now 37 and entering his 15th season. His 3.04 GA/G performance last season was his lowest since 2021/22. Levi, just 23, started 36 games in his young career and has allowed 3.29 GA/G while posting a .894 SV%. Lyon accumulated more ice time in his two seasons with Detroit than he did over the course of his previous five seasons. He allowed 2.93 across 69 starts in Detroit. Georgiev had one of the biggest falloffs in sports history last season. He allowed 3.71 GA/G over 47 starts for Colorado and San Jose last season and is looking for another chance this season with Buffalo. Even with four veteran goalies and a young up and comer like Levi, unless Luukkonen can return to form, the goaltending may be abysmal once again for Buffalo.

Grade: C

Key Schedule Stretch

December 3rd- January 3rd: After managing just 30 points on the road last season, this month of the season becomes incredibly important for this Buffalo team to input themselves in the playoff conversation early. This stretch starts with a six-game road trip with a Canada and West Coast filled itinerary as they have stops in Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Seattle. After the road trip Buffalo will have five more road games throughout the remaining eight games on during this stretch. In all, the Sabres play 11 out of the 14 games in this stretch away from home.

Notable Odds

Stanley Cup Champions - +10000

Conference Winner - +3500

Division Winner - +2200

To Make the Playoffs- Yes: +180

Hart Trophy- Rasmus Dahlin: +25000

Vezina Trophy- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: +25000

Prediction

Buffalo has an exciting roster full of young guys up front that continue to take big steps forward in their careers. However, the goalie situation is going to hold them back this year. I think Buffalo will take some big steps forward, but until Luukkonen figures it out and the front office shows some dedication to this current core it is hard to see Buffalo returning to the playoffs. The drought is long and only going to get longer until some moves are made. Buffalo will miss out on the playoffs (-230) and it is hard to imagine an eight-point improvement from last season thanks to the lack of moves which makes the Under 86.5 Team Points the move for Buffalo.

Under 86.5 Team Total Points

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