Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabres Game 5 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
The Buffalo Sabres are heading back to KeyBank Arena with a 3-1 death grip lead in their first-round playoff series over the Boston Bruins.
Buffalo embarrassed the Bruins in Game 4, laying a 6-1 shellacking on them in front of their home crowd, to claim victory in both games played in Boston. Can the Bruins avoid elimination tonight on the road?
The Sabres are significant favourites in Game 5, listed at -170 on the NHL odds. The OVER/UNDER is set at an even 6.0 goals.
Puck drop at the always electric KeyBank Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.
Bruins vs. Sabres NHL Betting Odds
With a 3-1 series lead, the Sabres have moved to an extreme favourite to win the series at -1400 on the NHL futures board, while the Bruins have a huge payout at +800. Other series results have decent payouts too like 4-2 Buffalo at +300 and 4-3 Buffalo at +600.
With three goals, Alex Tuch is the -330 favourite to lead the series in goals. Defenceman Bowen Byram also has three goals, paying +100, but do not sleep on superstars Tage Thompson (+185) and David Pastrnak (+950) to sneak ahead of them.
There are some interesting special props for Game 5 as well. Thompson is averaging 4.75 shots per game in the series. Take him to have 5+ shots in Game 5 for a +150 payout; he has hit that twice already this postseason. Pastrnak will need to be great to keep the Bruins alive. He has had two assists in a game twice this series; take him to do it again at +500.
Boston Bruins
After owning the first 40 minutes in Games 1, 2 and 3, the Bruins put up a horrendous first period in Game 4, allowing four goals, while getting outshot 19-5. They slowed the Sabres down in the second period and looked to get back into the game before allowing a pair to open the third. Sean Kuraly (first) scored shorthanded with just 40 seconds to play to break the shutout.
Jeremy Swayman has been the best player for the Bruins these playoffs, but like the rest of his teammates, he had a game to forget on Sunday. He was pulled after allowing all six goals, replaced by Jonas Korpisalo. With how Swayman played in the first three games, expect No. 1 back in the crease in the do-or-die situation on Tuesday.
Assistant captain and top defenceman Charlie McAvoy put it bluntly in a postgame interview that if his team is not embarrassed about the performance, then there is something wrong. It is safe to assume this Bruins team will not be going out easily, whether that means taking this series back to Boston or trying to leave a mark on the Sabres’ lineup.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres have had the same mindset in every game in this series, but it really paid off for them Sunday afternoon, resulting in an incredible 6-1 victory in Game 4. The offence came out guns blazing in the first period, with Peyton Krebs (second) scoring in the opening five minutes, followed by Josh Doan and Zach Benson, who both scored their first career playoff goals before the 10-minute mark. Bowen Byram added another before the end of the first, scoring for the third game in a row.
After a scoreless second period, Buffalo opened the third with another pair of goals, taking a commanding 6-0 lead.
Alex Lyon took over the net in Game 2 after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was pulled. Lyon was nearly perfect in Game 4, stopping 23 of 24 shots, giving him back-to-back wins. His 0.89 goals against average and .964 save percentage mean he will not be turning over the net for Game 5. His OVER/UNDER on saves for Tuesday is set at 23.5. He stopped has 23 and 24 shots in his two starts this postseason.
These Sabres fans will have the place rocking in their attempt to close out their first series since 2007.
