Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins Prediction, 5/1/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins

Date: Friday, May 1, 2026

Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (-118) Bruins (-112)

The Buffalo Sabres (50-23-9) are headed to TD Garden on Friday where they will attempt to defeat the Boston Bruins (45-27-10) in Game 6 of their 1st round series. Buffalo leads 3-2. The odds on this game have the Sabres at -118 and the Bruins are priced at -112. The betting total comes in at 5.5.

The Buffalo Sabres will look for better times on the ice after their 2-1 defeat to the Bruins in Game 5. The Sabres had an offensive game that was below their expectations in the loss. While out there on the ice, they were able to notch a goal on 1 out of the 25 shots they tried. Additionally, they had 3 power play attempts and notched 1 goal. Buffalo amassed 6 penalty minutes in this game.

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Buffalo Sabres opponents have earned 232 power play opportunities (19th in the league) and have a total of 42 goals in those attempts. The Sabres have had 2,381 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .899. Buffalo has tried 2,307 shots and has a shooting percentage of 12.3%. While playing at even strength, the Sabres have conceded 198 goals while scoring 235 themselves. Buffalo is sitting with 246 power play opportunities and they have scored 48 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 19.51%. For the current season, they have accumulated 109 points and their points % is .665. When it comes to their goal scoring prowess, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 283 goals (5th in the National Hockey League) on the year and have given up 240.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Alex Lyon. The opposition has been able to score 395 goals against Lyon in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.95. Lyon has been involved in 149 contests during his pro hockey career. He has a save percentage of .903 in his 6,072 mins on the ice. He has earned a win-loss record of 71-48-15 and he has gotten the start in 134 games. Throughout his time in hockey, Lyon has recorded 74 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .552. Lyon has had 4,065 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 3,670 total saves.

Boston played really well defensively in Game 5. The Bruins recorded 2 goals of the 29 shots on goal they tried. They had 3 power play opportunities in this game but weren't able to put one in the back of the net.

For the season, the Boston Bruins have tallied 268 goals, 100 points, in addition to a points percentage of .610. They have permitted 247 goals to be scored by way of 183 goals at even strength and 64 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Bruins have earned 213 goals at even strength and 55 goals (10th in hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have a tally of 235 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 23.40%. Boston has tried 2,216 shots (21st in pro hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 12.09%, while allowing the opposition 2,435 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 76.98% on their oppositions 278 power play tries, and their save percentage is 89.9%.

Across the ice you will find Jeremy Swayman in the crease. Swayman has compiled a lifetime record of 132-80-26 and has played in 245 contests. Swayman's percentage of quality starts comes in at 62.4% and he has 148 quality starts in his career. He has accrued 6,208 stops out of the 6,825 shots tried, which gives him a percentage of .910. His opponents are averaging 2.60 goals per contest and he has allowed 617 goals in total. He has started in 237 games and has racked up 10,205 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Boston (-112)

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