In this article we will formulate a Sabres vs Bruins prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, April 19th at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL playoff matchup.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 50-23-9 this season after they lost to the Stars in a shootout by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Buffalo led 2-1 and 3-2 in the second period, but they allowed Dallas to tie the game and lost in a shootout. The Sabres were out shot by a total of 28-24, won 53.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Benson, Norris, and Tuch, while Ellis stopped 25 out of 28 shots, which was an .893 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Buffalo defeated the Blackhawks by a score of 5-1 and the Blue Jackets by a score of 5-0. The Sabres have won four of their last five games and they finished first in the Atlantic standings with 109 points. Buffalo has scored 3.45 goals per game and they have allowed 2.93 goals against per game, while also going 19.5% on the power play and 81.9% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 40 goals and 41 assists, while Alex Tuch has added 33 goals and 33 assists. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is 22-9-3 with a 2.52 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this season.
Boston Bruins Betting Preview
The Boston Bruins are 45-27-10 this year after they defeated the Devils by a score of 4-0 in their last game. Boston scored all four goals in the first period and they cruised to the easy win. The Bruins out shot New Jersey by a total of 26-21, won 64.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-0 on the power play in the game. Boston got goals from Arvidsson, Geekie, and Kastelic (2), while Swayman stopped all 21 shots in the shutout victory.
Prior to that game, Boston defeated the Blue Jackets by a score of 3-2, but lost to the Lightning by a score of 2-1 before that. The Bruins have lost five of their last seven games and they finished fourth in the Atlantic standings with 100 points. Boston has scored 3.27 goals per game and they have allowed 3.01 goals against per game, while also going 23.4% on the power play and 76.9% on the penalty kill this season. David Pastrnak has led Boston with 29 goals and 71 assists, while Morgan Geekie has added 39 goals and 29 assists. The projected starting goalie for Boston is Jeremy Swayman, who is 31-18-4 with a 2.71 goals against average and a .908 save percentage this season.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won nine of their last 10 home games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Bruins have lost eight of their last 10 road games following a win.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in 11 of their last 12 games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Bruins have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five away games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Sabres have won the second period in each of their last seven games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents when trailing after the first period.
Why the Boston Bruins will win
- The Sabres have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Bruins have won each of their last four games as underdogs following a win.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Sabres’ last nine games at KeyBank Center.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Bruins have won the third period in each of their last four games as underdogs following a win.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last four home games after coming off overtime have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Six of the Bruins’ last seven games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Three of the last four games between two teams from the Atlantic Division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Bruins’ last nine night games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 10 Sunday games.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Jason Zucker has recorded an assist in each of his last four appearances.
- Alex Tuch has scored a goal in four of the Sabres’ last five games.
- Jason Zucker has scored three goals against the Bruins this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Boston Bruins Player Prop Facts
- Elias Lindholm has scored a goal in each of his last four appearances in Game 1s of a playoff series.
- David Pastrnak has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Bruins’ last eight night games at KeyBank Center.
- David Pastrnak has recorded at least one shot in each of his last 71 appearances – longest active streak in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 4th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (81.90%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 5th in the league for goals per game this season (3.45).
- The Boston Bruins rank 31st in the league for power play goals against this season (64).
- The Boston Bruins rank 2nd in the league in penalty minutes this season (978).
Sabres vs Bruins Prediction
Buffalo comes into this series as the #1 seed in the Atlantic standings and they were very good over the last few months of the season. The Sabres are 26-10-5 at home this year, while the Bruins are 16-16-9 on the road. Boston didn’t play great down the stretch, losing five of their last seven, but they won their last two and will try to keep building momentum here. The Bruins did win three of the four games against Buffalo in the regular season by scores of 3-1, 4-3, 1-4, and 4-3. I do think Boston has a chance to win this series, but I would be shocked if they win game one on the road. Take Buffalo to win at home.