Sabres to Stand Up to Bruins
Buffalo Big Underdog at Home Against Boston
The Boston Bruins re-enter Buffalo on Tuesday looking for a big bounce-back win, but the Sabres may have other plans. After a brutal loss against the Calgary Flames, Boston (9-6-0) will look to beat Buffalo (7-9-2) again, though the first matchup was a lot closer than the score indicated. The NHL odds have Boston as a sizable favorite, however.
Boston is 7-1-0 in its last eight trips to the KeyBank Center though it is only 3-4-0 as a road team this season. Buffalo started the season strong but has gone 2-7-1 in its last ten, recapturing its flat form from last season. But some signs point to this being a closer game…
Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres
- Point Spread: Boston -1½ (+105), Buffalo +1½ (-125)
- Moneyline: Boston -250, Buffalo +210
- Total: Over 5½ (-115), Under 5½ (-105)
Bruins: Big Brothers
The Bruins are plodding along and are likely achieving the status of “elite gatekeeper” in the league. What does this mean? Boston will beat the teams it’s supposed to beat (9-3 as a favorite) but lose to the cream of the crop (0-3 as an underdog).
We can thank the team’s tough and rugged defense for keeping the pretenders at bay, but teams like Toronto, Carolina and Edmonton will cut right through them. Boston’s offense leaves plenty to be desired as a bottom-five team in 5v5. Thankfully, the power play works (10th overall).
The netminding is also just okay. Between Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark, Boston has two serviceable goalies, though neither can truly steal the show. But being a big brother to the non-Stanley Cup contenders is not a bad place to be. Right?
Sabres: All Dahlin
See what we did here? The 2018 first overall pick, Rasmus Dahlin is “all dialed-in” for Buffalo. Finally, the embattled Swede is coming into his own, having scored six points in his last five games after scoring that many in his first 13. Dahlin is on pace for a career-high 54 points.
But the “real MVP” to Dahlin’s resurgence has to be his partner, the undersung Mark Pysyk. The 30-year-old has returned to Buffalo and is arguably the team’s best player thanks to his solid play on the back end. He only has four points but leads the team in plus-minus (+4) and the team’s PDO is at its peak, 103.3 when he’s on the ice.
“He makes me relax. I’m a competitive guy and he’s like, ‘Dude, relax, have fun.”
Rasmus Dahlin on the Mark Pysk’s influence, more on the #Buffalo #Sabres‘ struggling power play and tonight’s lineup against the Flames:https://t.co/QAiU3sob8C
— Bill Hoppe (@BillHoppeNHL) November 18, 2021
Even if Buffalo is beginning to tank, there is plenty to like about this developing team (they’re still up a half unit on the betting lines, by the way). They may be worth a small wager when betting online, but at the right opportunity.
Betting Pick
We like to keep an eye on the growing Sabres, but they’re not quite “big” enough to handle the big-boy Bruins here. Boston ended the Sabres’ three-game winning streak the first time as their ex-netminder Ullmark stonewalled them for most of the 60 minutes. Also, you can check NHL game between the Panthers vs Lightning.
Buffalo actually got the better of Boston in this exchange, possessing the puck for two-thirds of the time the game was close. The Sabres will need either Dustin Tokarski or Aaron Dell to stand on their head to give them a shot. They can, at least, help keep this closer.
Pick: Buffalo Sabres +1½ (-125)
Bonus Pick
Boston has been on fire offensively lately, having scored five goals apiece in each of their last three wins. But this hot run may end here as Buffalo takes it to the Bruins in what should be a low-scoring game decided by a goal. Grab the under on the BetUS sportsbook.
Pick: Under 5½ (-105)
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