Free NHL Picks Today: Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres 3/2/23

Two of the league’s top offenses are set to square off at TD Garden on Thursday, as the Buffalo Sabres (31-24-4) are on the road to take on the Boston Bruins (47-8-5).Buffalo is coming off a high-scoring 5-3 loss against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday, ending a streak of three wins in a row.

The Sabres committed only one penalty in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. Jack Quinn, Tage Thompson, and JJ Peterka each scored once for the Sabres. Quinn added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Craig Anderson saved only 31 of 35 shots against (.885%) in the loss.

Boston is playing the first of four games at home after a 4-3 overtime win over the Flames on Tuesday, their eighth consecutive win. Dmitry Orlov was the leading goal scorer for the Bruins, netting twice. Linus Ullmark saved 54 of 57 shots in the win (.947%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have split their two meetings this season, the most recent of which was a 4-3 (OT) victory for the Sabres in December. Alex Tuch led Buffalo with four points (2G 2A). David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Boston. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got the win, saving 37 of 40 shots (.925%).

FACING OFF

Buffalo is averaging 3.76 goals per game for the season, second in the NHL. The visitors will face a tough challenge against a Bruins team that is allowing only 2.10 goals a game (1st).

Meanwhile, Boston has found the net 3.73 times a game on average, third in the league, and the Sabres are allowing opponents to score 3.51 goals per game (25th).

The Sabres’ 25.13% power play percentage ranks sixth in the league, while the Bruins are eighth with a conversion rate of 23.41%. Boston has been more adept at penalty killing, boasting the league’s highest PK% at 86.70%. Buffalo ranks 31st at 72.35%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 80 points this season, fifth-most in the NHL, Thompson is the top skater for the Sabres. He is among the league leaders with 41 goals (3rd) and has added 39 assists. In the net, Anderson (9-7-2) is Buffalo’s top goaltender by goals against average.

He has a 2.70 GAA and a .920% save percentage. Luukkonen (15-8-2) leads the Sabres in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.57 and a save percentage of .892%.Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring with 80 points (4th in the league).

He has 42 goals (2nd in the league) and 38 assists. Ullmark (30-4-1) has the best goals against average for Boston at 1.86, best in the league. He has a save percentage of .938%, also best.