Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions, with us here at Last Word On Hockey. Thursday night’s matchup between the Boston Bruins and the Buffalo Sabres features the bottom two teams from the NHL’s Atlantic Division from last season. Both teams are looking to move up those standings from last season. Boston is in the midst of a half rebuild, and Buffalo, well, we all know the story. The Atlantic is very close together right now. Boston sits in last place, but with a win could shoot all the way up to third. Buffalo is in sixth but could also climb to third with a win. Both of these teams have ten points, and a win would go a long way for team morale.
NHL Predictions with the Bruins versus the Sabres
2025-2026 Season Series: Bruins 1-0 Sabres
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
How to Watch: MSG-B, NESN, ESPN+
Location: TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
Through ten games, Buffalo is an even .500 in the standings with a 4-4-2 record. After a 0-3 start Sabres fans are happy to be there. However, they’ve lost their last two games in a row, both in overtime, and are desperate to secure a win. Boston is almost the inverse. They started 3-0, they then lost six straight games. They sit second from the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 5-7 record. One of those wins at the beginning of the year came against the Sabres at home. They have the chance to repeat that outcome in this game.
Sabres Offence vs Bruins Defence
The Sabres offence has made a wild turnaround since the first time these teams met. Tage Thompson has found his goal scorer’s touch. And Zach Benson is the fiesty dog the Sabres didn’t realize how much they’d miss when he was gone with injury. They’ve scored 28 goals in their past seven games. Aided by a power play operating at just under 22%. The second line for the Sabres was all over the ice in their most recent game against Columbus. Ryan McLeod, Josh Doan, and Alex Tuch have been phenomenal for the Sabres. They can establish so much pressure with a heavy forecheck, something the Bruins defence will have to be ready for.
The Bruins are struggling to keep the puck out of their own net. With 44 goals allowed in 12 games, they’re the second worst team in the conference in that category. Jeremy Swayman hasn’t been the same Swayman that convinced Bruins management to go all-in on him and trade away Vezina Trophy-winner Linus Ullmark. With a 3.45 goals-against average and an .886 save percentage, there is definitely room for improvement. Joonas Korpisalo hasn’t helped either. With a 3.62 goals-against average and an .870 save percentage. If the Bruins want to be successful, their team defence needs to improve and the goaltending needs to get better.
Bruins Offence vs Sabres Defence
The good news for the Bruins is, they’re scoring a lot, with 39 goals in their twelve games so far. 39 goals is good enough to be tied for sixth currently for goals for in the NHL. David Pastrnak leads the team with 15 total points. And Morgan Geekie looks great so far this year with eight goals and ten points on the year. That star power will need to shine for the Bruins if they want to be successful this season. Elias Lindholm is the only guy besides the two previously mentioned with more than three goals this season. With that being said, the Sabres defence is leaving some play to be desired right now.
Rasmus Dahlin has not been the elite defender to start the year everyone thought he would be. If he can turn it around that’s great for the Sabres, and they’re hoping it’ll happen in this game. Owen Power is receiving some harsh criticism for his last game against Columbus. Furthermore, Michael Kesselring has just one game under his belt since returning from injury. There’s holes to be exploited right now for the Bruins. However, they will have to get through the Sabres goaltending, which is elite this season. Alex Lyon played against Columbus, looking great once again, so it will most likely be Colten Ellis or Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in net for the Sabres. Luukkonen just returned from injury, playing so-so in his first game back. Moreover, Ellis is a rookie, who looked stellar in his one game against the Red Wings this year. Either way, a shaky former starter, or a potential second-game slump from the rookie could be in the cards for the Sabres. However, the Bruins can rely on this is they want to win the game.
Prediction & Key Outcomes
The Sabres are desperate to get back into the win column and avenge the early season performance against the Bruins. They’ve found ways to battle back into games that they just couldn’t do last season. The special teams favor the Sabres, look for them to capitalize on that as well.
The prediction: Buffalo Sabres 5 – Boston Bruins 3
Best Prop Bets to Watch
We like for any time goal, to select Jiri Kulich. He is looking great on the top line playing with Benson and Thompson. Look for him to find the back of the net in the game. For anytime assist, Rasmus Dahlin is due for a good game. Watch for him to get himself on the scoresheet. And lastly, Josh Doan has been a net front monster for the Sabres on the power play. Look for him to score on the man advantage.
Main Photo Credit: Winslow Townson – Imagn Images
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