Jack Eichel, Jeff Skinner, and the Buffalo Sabres will face off against David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and the Boston Bruins at TD Garden in an Atlantic Division tilt. New England Sports Network will showcase the game, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5.
Buffalo Sabres at Boston Bruins Odds
The Bruins (-205) are the favorite over the Sabres (+175) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -120 over, +100 under.
Boston is 23-18 straight-up (SU) and has lost 1.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Atlantic Division in this young season, is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team managed during the 2017-18 season campaign. 23 of the team’s 41 games have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just two have pushed. Thus far, the team’s 14-5 SU at home.
The Bruins have connected on 27.8 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 12th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.5 percent of all penalties.
With a .926 save percentage and 28.3 saves per game, Jaroslav Halak (13-10-2) has been the top goalkeeper for Boston this season. If the Bruins, however, choose to give him the night off, the team might turn to Tuukka Rask (10-10-10 record, .914 save percentage, 2.63 goals against average).
On the other bench, Buffalo is 22-19 straight up (SU) and has netted 6.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. 20 of its outings have gone over the total, while another 20 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As an away team this season, the Sabres are 9-11 SU.
The Sabres have converted on 18.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked eighth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.3 percent of all penalties.
Carter Hutton (28.5 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Buffalo. Hutton owns a 13-15-3 record, while registering a .917 save percentage and 2.63 goals against average this year.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins Free Picks
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their last five outings.
- Buffalo has managed 29.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Boston is averaging 33.8 shots per game over its last five at home.
- The Bruins this season have handed out the ninth-most hits per game in the NHL (23.6).
