In this article we will formulate a Sabres vs Bruins prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, April 28th 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 up 3-1 in this series after they won three of the first four games by scores of 4-3, 2-4, 3-1, and 6-1. In game four, Buffalo scored four goals in the first period and they picked up a very easy victory. The Sabres recorded 35 shots on goal, won 33.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Doan, Benson, Krebs, Malenstyn, Tuch, and Byram while Lyon stopped 23 out of 24 shots, which was a .958 save percentage.
Prior to this series, Buffalo lost to the Stars by a score of 4-3, but did beat the Blackhawks by a score of 5-1 before that. The Sabres have won seven of their last nine games and they finished first in the Atlantic standings with 109 points. Buffalo scored 3.45 goals per game and they 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 led Buffalo with 40 goals and 41 assists, while Alex Tuch added 33 goals and 33 assists. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Alex Lyon, who was 20-10-4 with a 2.77 goals against average and a .907 save percentage this season. Check out tonight’s game between the Wild and Stars.
Boston Bruins Betting Preview
The Boston Bruins are down 1-3 in this series after lost game four by a score of 6-1 on Sunday. Boston came out very flat in the first period and they didn’t score until 40 seconds left in the third in the blowout loss. The Bruins recorded 24 shots on goal, won 66.7% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Boston got their lone goal from Kuraly, while Swayman stopped 23 out of 29 shots and Korpisalo stopped all six shots he faced in relief.
Prior to this series, Boston defeated the Devils by a score of 4-0 and the Blue Jackets by a score of 3-2. The Bruins have lost eight of their last 11 games and they finished fourth in the Atlantic standings with 100 points. Boston scored 3.27 goals per game and they 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 led Boston with 29 goals and 71 assists, while Morgan Geekie added 39 goals and 29 assists. The projected starting goalie for Boston is Jeremy Swayman, who was 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 12 of their last 13 night games at KeyBank Center following a road win.
- The Bruins have lost six of their last seven games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in 13 of their last 15 night games at KeyBank Center following a road win.
- The Bruins have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games at KeyBank Center against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Sabres have won the third period in each of their last eight home games against the Bruins.
Why the Boston Bruins will win
- The underdogs have won four of the last five games between the Bruins and Sabres.
- The Sabres have lost three of their last four games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Sabres’ last 11 games at KeyBank Center.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last nine games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Bruins have won the second period in each of their last five games as underdogs when tied after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Sabres’ last eight home games against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Eight of the Bruins’ last 10 games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five night games between two teams from the Atlantic Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Bruins’ last 11 games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in four of the Sabres’ last five home games against opponents on a losing streak.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Owen Power has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last six games.
- Alex Tuch has scored a goal in five of the Sabres’ last six games.
- Bowen Byram has scored three goals against the Bruins this season – most against any opponent.
Boston Bruins Player Prop Facts
- Morgan Geekie has scored a goal in five of the Bruins’ last six road playoff games.
- David Pastrnak has recorded at least one assist in each of his last 12 Tuesday appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Sean Kuraly has scored two goals against the Sabres this season – equal-most against any opponent.
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 matchup looking to clinch the series at home, but they didn’t play great in games one or two on home ice. The Sabres were 26-10-5 at home this year, while the Bruins were 16-16-9 on the road. Boston was outscored 9-2 on home ice and they really need to buckle down defensively if they want to continue their season. I do think these teams are very evenly matched, but we have seen 7, 6, 4, and 7 goals in the first four games of the series. Take the over here.