Boston Bruins (19-7-6) vs. Buffalo Sabres (14-17-4)
Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabres 12/27/23 – On Wednesday a compelling NHL regular-season matchup unfolds as the Boston Bruins, with a solid 19-7-6 record, face off against the Buffalo Sabres, who are at 14-17-4. This encounter, taking place at the KeyBank Center and broadcasted on TNT, is a pivotal game for both teams. The Bruins, aiming to maintain their strong position, and the Sabres, looking to climb up from their struggles, create an intriguing dynamic for NHL daily winning picks.
David Pastrnak has been at the core of Boston’s dynamic offense this season. With 44 points including 20 goals, Pastrnak is leading Boston to success on offense while Brad Marchand and Pavel Zacha provide depth and versatility on that front. Their powerful attack will take on Buffalo Sabres defense which has had some ups-and-downs so far; therefore the Bruins’ ability to create power play opportunities and score goals will be key against Buffalo’s formidable defensive setup.
Buffalo Sabres have shown great potential offensively this season despite their overall ranking, as Casey Mittelstadt and Rasmus Dahlin both scored 29 points proving they can challenge opposing defenses with their offensive prowess. Right wing JJ Peterka has also been an impressive scorer; together these players will need to perform at their peak to penetrate Boston Bruins’ formidable defense this season.
Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabres 12/27/23 Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | KeyBank Center |
| TV: | TNT |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Linus Ullmark vs. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Linus Ullmark has been exceptional in goal for Boston with a .914 save percentage and 2.87 GAA. He was previously the Sabres starter so he will be extra motivated against his former team. Ullmark excels at tracking pucks through traffic and staying square on rush chances. Buffalo struggles to work the puck down low so Ullmark matches up very well against their style of play. The Sabres will need to crowd his crease and take his eyes away if they want to beat their former teammate.
Meanwhile, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has had an up and down season for the Sabres. While flashing potential, the rookie netminder has struggled with consistency. Luukkonen has an .892 save percentage along with a 3.21 GAA on the year. He can be beaten cleanly from the point and fights rebounds at times. The Bruins feature an offense that specializes in point shots and crashes the net hard. Luukkonen will need to control his rebounds and play a clean game positionally to give Buffalo a chance.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: Boston Bruins -154, Total Odds: TBD
The odds favor the Boston Bruins, reflecting their stronger season performance and historical dominance over the Sabres. However, the Sabres, as underdogs, may offer value for bettors looking for a potential upset. The total odds, once available, will provide further insight into the expected game flow and scoring patterns.
Boston Bruins Betting Trends
The Bruins have dominated this matchup in Buffalo, going 5-0 straight up in their last five trips. They play a slow, defensive style that gives the Sabres fits at home. The under trend also stands out – Boston has gone under in 4 of five overall. However, the over has hit in four straight Bruins away games.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Trends
For Buffalo, low-scoring games have been rare lately. The over has gone 4-0 in their last four games overall and last four home contests as well. However, the Sabres struggle mightily with straight up results, going 4-9 overall in their last 13. Most glaring – Buffalo is 0-5 straight up their last five home matchups with Boston.
Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabres 12/27/23 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, the Boston Bruins emerge as the favorites in this matchup. Their offensive strength and solid goaltending give them an edge over the Sabres. However, Buffalo’s potential for high-scoring games and capacity to surprise should not be overlooked.
For bettors seeking handicapper’s favorite picks, the Bruins are a solid choice, especially considering their track record against Buffalo. Prop bets on individual performances, especially for players like Pastrnak and Mittelstadt, may offer additional value. The over/under decision will hinge on the final total odds, but given both teams’ recent scoring trends, a higher-scoring game could be anticipated.
Free Pick and Prediction: Boston Bruins 4, Buffalo Sabres 3