Metropolitan and Atlantic division foes clash at the Prudential Center this Wednesday as the New Jersey Devils host the Buffalo Sabres. Coming off the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, both squads are desperate to find their rhythm in a high-stakes Eastern Conference playoff race. Buffalo currently occupies the fourth spot in the Atlantic with 70 points, remaining within striking distance of a top-three seed. Conversely, the Devils (28-27-2) have struggled with consistency throughout February and are fighting to keep their wild-card dreams alive in a crowded Metro field. With the international break officially in the rearview mirror, the “Milan Hangover” and roster health will be the deciding factors in Newark tonight. Continue reading to get my Sabres vs Devils prediction.
Our Sabres vs Devils Pick
Pick:
Confidence: ★★★★☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Buffalo Sabres vs New Jersey Devils
- Date & Time: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Prudential Center
- Broadcast: ESPN+, MSG+
Buffalo Sabres Injury Report
The Sabres are welcoming back some key pieces from the shelf, though they will be without a rising star who suffered a setback during the Olympic hiatus.
- Tage Thompson (C): Expected to play. Thompson led Team USA to gold on Sunday and, despite the long flight from Italy, is slated to lead the top line.
- Zach Benson (LW): Ruled out for the three-game road trip. Benson is dealing with an upper-body injury sustained just before the break and has not yet been cleared for contact.
- Josh Norris (C): Set to return to the lineup tonight. After recovering from a mid-January rib injury, Norris has been a full participant in recent practices.
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (G): Available. After missing the Olympics with a lower-body ailment, he has been practicing since Feb 19 and is ready to split starts with Alex Lyon.
- Jiri Kulich (C): Remains out indefinitely (blood clot) but has begun light skating on his own.
New Jersey Devils Injury Report
New Jersey’s blue line is still licking its wounds, and the team will be relying on depth call-ups to fill significant gaps tonight.
- Luke Hughes (D): Remains on Injured Reserve with a shoulder injury. He is not expected to rejoin the lineup until early March.
- Stefan Noesen (RW): Out until mid-March due to a knee injury suffered in early February.
- Nick Bjugstad (C): Acquired just before the trade freeze, Bjugstad is fully healthy and expected to center the third line tonight.
- Zack MacEwen (RW): Out for the season (knee).
Key Storylines
Offensive Disparity
The statistical gap between these two teams is jarring. Buffalo enters the contest with 195 goals scored (8th in the NHL), powered by Tage Thompson’s 30-goal campaign. New Jersey, meanwhile, has struggled to find the back of the net, totaling only 146 goals on the season. While Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt remain elite threats, the lack of secondary scoring has seen New Jersey drop into the bottom third of the league in offensive production.
Special Teams Battle
Buffalo’s power play has been efficient at 20.1%, a mark that could be the difference-maker against a Devils’ penalty kill that has looked vulnerable since Luke Hughes went down. If the Sabres’ top unit, led by Rasmus Dahlin (37 assists), gets multiple looks tonight, New Jersey’s goaltending will be under immense pressure to keep the game within reach.
Sabres vs Devils Model Projection
Score Projection:
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Final Thoughts
