The league’s top two offenses are set to square off at TD Garden on Saturday, as the Boston Bruins (28-4-3) welcome the Buffalo Sabres (17-14-2). Buffalo is coming off a high-scoring 6-3 win over the Red Wings on Thursday, their fifth consecutive win. The Sabres took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring once on five shots, while also conceding a power play goal.
Kyle Okposo was the top goalscorer for the Sabres with a hat trick. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen only saved 28 of 31 shots (.903%) in the win.Boston beat the Devils 3-1 on Wednesday. Patrice Bergeron, Pavel Zacha, and Trent Frederic scored one apiece for the Bruins. Hampus Lindholm had two assists to lead the team in scoring. Linus Ullmark was impressive in the win, making 30 saves (.967%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Bruins won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-1 victory in November, their seventh straight win against Buffalo. Bergeron (2G 0A) and Brad Marchand (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Boston.
Tage Thompson scored Buffalo’s only goal. Keith Kinkaid got the win, saving 30 of 31 shots (.967%).
FACING OFF
Buffalo is averaging 4.00 goals per game for the season, best in the NHL. The visitors will face a tough test against a Bruins team that is allowing only 2.14 goals a game (1st). Meanwhile, Boston has found the net 3.80 times a game on average, second in the league, and the Sabres are allowing opponents to score 3.39 goals per game (23rd).
Boston averages more shots a game (34.8) than most teams in the league, ranking fifth, while the team’s 11.1% shooting percentage is seventh. With an average of 32.2 attempts, Buffalo ranks 12th.
The Sabres’ 29.37% power play percentage is the second-best in the league, while Boston’s 27.91% conversion rate ranks fourth. Boston has been equally adept at penalty killing, boasting the league’s second-highest PK% at 84.38%. Buffalo ranks 26th at 73.21%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 50 points this season, fourth-most in the NHL, Thompson is the top skater for the Sabres. He is among the league leaders with 26 goals (2nd) and has added 24 assists. In the net, Craig Anderson (7-4-1) is Buffalo’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.65 GAA and a .922% save percentage.
David Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring with 48 points (6th in the league). He has 24 goals (4th in the league) and 24 assists. Ullmark (20-1-1) has the best goals against average for Boston at 1.90, best in the league. He has a save percentage of .938%, also best.
HOME AND AWAY
Buffalo is seeking a fourth successive win away from home this season. Boston is undefeated at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Boston Bruins (-250)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
