New York Islanders vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 12/20/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Islanders vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Islanders (-145) Sabres (+125)

KeyBank Center is where the Buffalo Sabres (14-14-4) will attempt to beat the New York Islanders (19-12-3) on Saturday. The line on this contest has New York at -145 while Buffalo is at +125. The total is 6.5.

The New York Islanders were on the losing side of the ice with a 3-2 defeat against the Red Wings their last time out. New York accrued 4 penalty mins in this matchup. Additionally, they had 1 power play opportunity but weren't able to notch a goal. The Islanders didn't have their best offensive outing in this loss. For the matchup, they tallied a score on 2 of the 18 shots they attempted.

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New York Islanders opponents have totaled 96 power play opportunities (19th in hockey) and have scored 17 goals in those chances. The Islanders so far have had 957 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .903. New York has taken 971 shots and has a shot percentage of 10.2%. When at even strength, the Islanders have surrendered 76 goals while notching 81 themselves. New York has compiled 109 power play chances and they have scored 18 goals during those chances, giving them a percentage of 16.51%. For the current campaign, they have accumulated 41 points and their points percentage comes in at .603. Concerning their goal scoring prowess, the New York Islanders have notched 99 goals (17th in the NHL) this season and have given up 93.

The man in net for this game is David Rittich. During his career on the ice, Rittich has 117 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .544. He has a save percentage of .904 for his 12,218 mins guarding the cage. Rittich has had 6,325 shots against him and he has 5,717 total saves. Opponents have been able to score 608 goals versus Rittich in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.83. He has an overall mark of 115-74-27 and he has gotten the start in 215 games. Rittich has participated in 241 games over the course of his professional hockey career.

In their last outing, Buffalo opposed the Kraken in a matchup where the Sabres took home the win by a score of 3-1. They had 2 power play opportunities in this outing but weren't able to notch a goal. The Sabres notched 3 goals out of the 23 shots on goal they tried.

The Sabres are sitting with 76 goals at even strength and 20 goals (15th in hockey) while having more men on the ice. Buffalo has attempted 907 shots (21st in hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 10.58%, while allowing the other team 954 shots. During this campaign, the Buffalo Sabres are sitting with 96 goals, 32 points, and a points percentage of .500. They have allowed 109 goals to be scored by of a combination of 95 goals at even strength and 14 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a total of 99 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 20.20%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 84.95% on their opponents 93 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage is 88.6%.

For the opposition you will find Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen defending the goal. Luukkonen is the owner of a career mark of 75-70-16 and has played in 165 games. Luukkonen's rate of quality starts sits at 52.5% and he has qualified for 84 quality starts in his hockey career. He has gathered 4,200 stops out of the 4,681 shots attempted, giving him a rate of .897. Teams are averaging 3.01 goals per game and he has conceded 481 goals overall. He got the starting nod in 160 games and has played 8,239 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take New York (-145)

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