Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins Picks and Prediction for Friday May 1 2026
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
The Buffalo Sabres travel to face the Boston Bruins in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference First Round playoff series at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, on Friday, May 1, 2026, with puck drop set for 7:30 PM and coverage airing on ESPN. Buffalo leads the series 3-2 and has a chance to clinch on the road, while Boston returns home trying to force another game. The Sabres are listed at -118 on the moneyline, with the Bruins at -102, and the total is set at 5.5 goals. Buffalo is also listed at +215 on the -1.5 puck line, while Boston is +1.5 at -265. Get in all the action with our free NHL Picks.
Previous Game Recap
The Boston Bruins recently won over the Buffalo Sabres by a 2-1 final score in overtime in Game 5, keeping their season alive while cutting Buffalo’s series lead to 3-2. Buffalo opened the scoring in the first period, Boston answered in the second, and neither side scored in the third before the Bruins found the winning goal in overtime. It was a tight, defensive playoff game where both teams had to grind through limited scoring chances.
Boston’s top performers were led by Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak, who each scored in the win. Hampus Lindholm added an assist from the blue line, while the Bruins also received a strong effort in goal from Jeremy Swayman. He stopped 25 of 26 shots and finished with a .962 save percentage, giving Boston the kind of goaltending performance needed in a one-goal elimination-style game.
For Buffalo, Rasmus Dahlin scored the Sabres’ only goal and added three shots while playing heavy minutes. Tage Thompson and Jason Zucker each recorded an assist, helping Buffalo generate its lone goal of the night. Alex Lyon kept the Sabres in the game by stopping 27 of 29 shots with a .931 save percentage, but Boston’s overtime goal was enough to extend the series. 
Buffalo Tries to Finish the Series on the Road
The Buffalo Sabres enter Game 6 with a 50-23-9 record and a 24-13-4 mark away from home. Over their last five games, Buffalo has recently lost to Boston in overtime, recently won over Boston by a decisive 6-1 score, recently won over Boston 3-1, recently lost to Boston 4-2, and recently won over Boston 4-3. The Sabres still hold the 3-2 series lead, but their most recent playoff result was a narrow overtime loss.
Buffalo averages 3.45 goals per game while allowing 2.93 goals against. The Sabres put up 28.1 shots per game and allow 29.1 shots against. On special teams, Buffalo has 48 power-play goals with a 19.5 percent power-play rate, while allowing 42 power-play goals against with an 81.9 percent penalty-kill rate. The Sabres also have 11 shorthanded goals.
One key strength for Buffalo is its scoring balance compared with the defensive numbers in this matchup. The Sabres average 3.45 goals per game, and while they do allow 29.1 shots against, their penalty kill sits at 81.9 percent. That gives Buffalo a path to stay composed in a road playoff game where special teams could matter.
Boston Looks to Stretch the Series at TD Garden
The Boston Bruins come into Game 6 with a 45-27-10 record and a strong 29-11-1 mark at home. Over their last five games, Boston has recently won over Buffalo in overtime, recently lost to Buffalo 6-1, recently lost to Buffalo 3-1, recently won over Buffalo 4-2, and recently lost to Buffalo 4-3. The Bruins are still trailing 3-2 in the series, but their previous playoff game result gives them life as they return home.
Boston averages 3.27 goals per game while allowing 3.01 goals against. The Bruins generate 27.0 shots per game and allow 29.7 shots against. Their power play has produced 55 goals with a 23.4 percent success rate, while their penalty kill sits at 76.9 percent after allowing 64 power-play goals against. Boston has also scored two shorthanded goals.
One key strength for Boston is its home record, as the Bruins have gone 29-11-1 at TD Garden. Their power play percentage is also higher than Buffalo’s, giving Boston a useful edge if this game is decided by special teams. The concern is that Boston allows 29.7 shots per game and has a lower penalty-kill percentage than Buffalo.
Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins Picks and Prediction
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Bruce Marshall | +8,742.00 |
| 2 |  Bryan Power | +3,958.00 |
| 3 |  Sean Higgs | +2,820.00 |
| 4 |  David Hess | +1,870.00 |
| 5 |  Steve Seagrave | +1,832.00 |
Moneyline Pick
- Buffalo Sabres -118
Buffalo on the moneyline at -118 is the pick. The Sabres lead the series 3-2, have already recently won over Boston twice in this series, and have a 24-13-4 road record. Boston’s home record is strong, and the Bruins are coming off an overtime win, but Buffalo’s overall record, better goals-against average, and stronger penalty-kill percentage give the Sabres enough to trust in a close Game 6. With Buffalo averaging 3.45 goals per game and still holding the series advantage, the Sabres are the lean to finish the matchup.
Total Pick
- Under 5.5
The total is set at 5.5 goals, and the lean is toward the under. The most recent game finished 2-1 in overtime, and two of the last three games between these teams stayed well below this number. Buffalo allows 2.93 goals per game, while Boston allows 3.01, and both goaltenders in the previous matchup posted strong save percentages. I expect another tight playoff game where the pressure of a possible clincher keeps the scoring lower than the number.
Final Score Prediction: Buffalo Sabres 3 – Boston Bruins 2
Never Tried Picks and Parlays? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code BUCK
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $150 If Your Bet Wins!
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5+ Get $100 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
Related posts
