NHL betting preview (Jan. 28): Bruins vs. Sabres odds
Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Tuesday’s Atlantic Division matchup between the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres.
Bruins vs. Sabres Odds
- Boston Bruins Moneyline: -115
- Buffalo Sabres Moneyline: -105
- Puck Line: Bruins -1.5 (+200), Sabres +1.5 (-250)
- Game Total: 6 (Over +100, Under -150)
Game odds via Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Bruins (25-26 SU, 19-32 ATS, 25-25-1 O/U)
The Bruins enter Tuesday’s game following a two-day break after a 3-1 home victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday—a win made possible by goaltender Jeremy Swayman’s stellar performance.
Swayman has been rounding into form for some time now, and Saturday’s effort showcased his ability to be a game-changer. He stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced, helping Boston rally in the third period after trailing 1-0 in the second. Since Dec. 11, Swayman ranks sixth in goals saved above expected, per Evolving Hockey.
Offensively, Morgan Geekie delivered his second multi-goal performance of the season, extending his goal-scoring streak to three games. Geekie has been red-hot, scoring six goals in his last seven games while building chemistry with star forward David Pastrnak. Geekie is now just two goals shy of matching his career high of 17, set last season in 76 games.
Meanwhile, Pastrnak has been on fire with points in seven straight games, including multiple points in six of them. Since Dec. 20, Pastrnak leads the league in scoring with 12 goals and 12 assists in his last 15 games—twice as many points as Boston’s next-best player, Geekie. However, despite strong individual performances, the Bruins have struggled since the NHL returned from its holiday break on Dec. 27, going 6-7-2. Boston’s power play has been a glaring issue during this stretch, converting just 12.5% of its opportunities.
Handicapping the Sabres (18-31 SU, 24-25 ATS, 26-16-7 O/U)
The Sabres return home for a four-game homestand after a 1-3 road trip through the Western Conference. Buffalo is 9-12-3 at home this season and has won three of its last five home games, but the Sabres have only managed four home victories in 15 games since Nov. 11.
Offensively, Buffalo has been one of the league’s most productive teams since Dec. 22, scoring more goals per 60 minutes than all but Nashville and Edmonton. However, their defensive issues remain glaring, as only four teams have allowed more goals per 60 minutes over the same stretch. The Sabres rank 22nd in shot attempts against and 26th in expected goals against at even strength over the last month, with decent special teams play unable to compensate for their defensive shortcomings.
Historically, the Bruins have dominated this matchup. Buffalo has lost five of its past six meetings against Boston and is 2-9-1 versus the Bruins since the 2021-22 season. Their most recent loss to Boston came on Dec. 21, a 3-1 defeat that capped a 13-game losing streak. However, this matchup appears more competitive than in recent seasons, especially with Boston missing its top two defensemen, Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, who won’t make the trip to Buffalo despite practicing on Monday.
Buffalo has shown an ability to generate offense lately, ranking fourth in shots per 60 minutes since Jan. 11. They registered 34 and 41 shots in recent games against Calgary and Edmonton, respectively, though finishing was an issue. The Sabres must lean on their speed and skill to succeed in this game, as grinding out a win likely isn’t a viable strategy.
Best bet for Bruins vs. Sabres
- David Pastrnak Over 1.5 Points (+155) at Sports Interaction
Pastrnak hasn’t scored in his last three games against Buffalo, but he found the back of the net in seven of the nine prior meetings. He also recorded two points in the last matchup on Dec. 21. Given his recent form, he has a stronger chance of another multi-point game than the +155 odds suggest.
- Mason Lohrei Over 0.5 Power-Play Points (+475) at Sports Interaction
Boston leads the league in penalties taken per game, but Buffalo is also one of the most penalized teams. This means both teams are likely to see significant time on the man advantage. With McAvoy and Lindholm still out, sophomore Mason Lohrei has stepped up as Boston’s top offensive defenseman. Lohrei is on the top power-play unit and has logged more time on the man advantage than any other Bruins defender over the past month. He’s tallied six points in his last eight games, three of which came on the power play. That said, while I’m risking one unit on Pastrnak, I’m limiting my bet on Lohrei’s prop to 0.25 units.