Sabres vs. Islanders Prediction & Picks - March 31

The Buffalo Sabres (45-21-8) host the New York Islanders (42-28-5) at KeyBank Center on Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Sabres knocked off the Seattle Kraken 3-2 in a shootout in their last game, while the Islanders are coming off an 8-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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Here's our pick for who will secure the win in Tuesday's matchup.

Over the past 10 contests, the Islanders have gone 5-5-0 while putting up 27 total goals (six power-play goals on 30 power-play opportunities during that time, for a conversion rate of 20.0%). They have given up 31 goals.

Sabres vs. Islanders Predictions for Tuesday

Our computer projections model for this matchup predicts a final tally of Sabres 4, Islanders 3.

• Moneyline Pick: Sabres (-199)
• Total Pick: Over 6 (computer predicts 6.2 goals on average)
• Spread Pick: Islanders (+1.5)

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Sabres Splits and Trends

• The Sabres are 8-8-16 in overtime contests on their way to a 45-21-8 overall record.
• In the 20 games Buffalo has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 9-3-8 record (good for 26 points).
• In the seven games this season the Sabres scored just one goal, they finished 0-6-1.
• Buffalo has finished 6-8-0 in the 14 games this season when it scored two goals (registering 12 points).
• The Sabres have scored at least three goals in 50 games (39-4-7, 85 points).
• In the 27 games when Buffalo has scored a lone power-play goal, it went 18-5-4 to record 40 points.
• In the 29 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Buffalo is 17-10-2 (36 points).
• The Sabres' opponents have had more shots in 45 games. The Sabres went 28-11-6 in those contests (62 points).

Islanders Splits and Trends

• The Islanders (42-28-5 overall) have posted a record of 14-5-19 in contests that have gone to OT this season.
• In the 31 games New York has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 46 points.
• Across the 12 games this season the Islanders finished with only one goal, they have earned five points.
• New York has 19 points (9-11-1) when scoring two goals this season.
• The Islanders have scored at least three goals in 40 games, earning 63 points from those contests.
• New York has scored a lone power-play goal in 23 games this season and has recorded 32 points from those matchups.
• When it outshoots its opponent this season, New York has posted a record of 13-16-4 (30 points).
• The Islanders have been outshot by opponents in 37 games, going 26-11-0 to record 52 points.

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Team Stats Comparison

Sabres vs. Islanders Game Time and TV Channel

• When: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: ESPN+
• Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York

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