Bet Bruins Sabres – Road Warriors From Boston Claim Another Away Win In Buffalo
Most online betting players know that you have to be a good road team in order to make a Stanley Cup run, and the defending champions from Boston are one of the NHL’s best away from home. The Bruins head to Buffalo on Wednesday night and they should have no problems with the ailing Sabres, who can’t stay healthy.
What: NHL Betting
When: Wednesday, February 8th, 7:30 PM ET
Where: First Niagara Center, Buffalo, NY
Pick: Boston Bruins
Why Bet On Boston Bruins (33-16-2, 16-7-0 road)
The Bruins flexed their muscles with a 4-1 win in Washington on Sunday, although we’re not sure how big of an accomplishment it is to defeat the Capitals nowadays. Milan Lucic, Brad Marchand, Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverly got on the scoresheet to help the Bruins avoid a three-game losing streak, while Tim Thomas stopped 35 shots and it appears as though the Vezina winner will not be traded after the fuss that was made last month when he refused to visit the White House because of government policies. Thomas has started three of four games since the All-Star break and he’ll likely be in goal for this matchup as well. The Bruins dominated this game from the faceoff circle as they won 43 of 67 faceoffs, and most NHL betting players know that is a massive key towards victory: you can’t win if you don’t have the puck, and winning faceoffs makes that much easier. Patrice Bergeron (who also had two assists) and David Krejci combined to go 25-of-39 in the faceoff dot.
Boston’s only major injury worry is Nathan Horton (concussion), and the Bruins have to be careful with Horton as he was knocked out of last season’s Stanley Cup final with a concussion and given all the attention that they’re getting now, the Bruins will be extra cautious with him. But outside of Horton, the Bruins come into this game as they aim to track down the New York Rangers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Also, despite the fact that Buffalo is out of playoff contention, they’ll get up for their rivals and the Bruins can’t afford to underestimate them.
Why Bet On Buffalo Sabres (22-24-6, 11-9-6 home)
The Sabres have now won three of their last four after a 4-3 shootout victory on the road against the New York Islanders on Saturday, so they’ll be well-rested for this clash with the Bruins. Derek Roy, Paul Gaustad and Nathan Gerbe all scored in regulation, while Jason Pominville notched the winner in the shootout and Ryan Miller made 35 saves to become the all-time franchise leader in wins for the Sabres. The Sabres have to lean heavily on their goalie over the second half of the season as they’re currently 11 points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and while Jhonas Enroth has played well this season, the Sabres are Miller’s team and he’ll be the first to tell you that he hasn’t played up to his usual high standards, but it’s also not his fault that the Sabres are 26th in the league in goals scored.
To make matters worse, their second-leading scorer, Thomas Vanek (upper body), will be out for a while and the Sabres need all the points they can get. If anything, it has allowed Gaustad to move back to the wing, where he can use his size in the corners to help the Sabres control the puck. Also, from the random-injuries file, coach Lindy Ruff (ribs) had his ribs broken in a collision in practice with defenseman Jordan Leopold. Pominville is now the only player in Buffalo to play every game this season and that has basically killed their NHL betting odds for the season. There is still time, but the Sabres can’t slip up many more times.
How It Will Play Out
Look for Buffalo to be slight home NHL betting favorites at home, although the line won’t be by much as Boston is 2-3 SU in their last five on the road against the Sabres, with three games going over the posted total (along with two pushes). Over that time, there has never been a Miller/Thomas matchup in goal, but we should see one on Wednesday night as both teams should be rested and both need to win.
The Bruins have been spectacular on the road this season and that is the mark of a veteran team that knows how to win; they have an extra focus away from home that has kept them in the top three or four all season. The Sabres are just too banged up to hang with the Bruins, who have won both meetings with Buffalo this season. Look for them to make it three; go with Boston in your sports betting picks.
Bet Bruins Sabres Pick: Boston Bruins