BOSTON - The Buffalo Sabres are set to face off against the Boston Bruins on Monday, March 17, 2025, at TD Garden, as both teams fight for their playoff hopes. With the game scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET, the matchup promises to be intense, with both squads vying for the upper hand.
The Sabres come to Boston with a record of 26-39-6, having managed to break their six-game losing streak with recent wins against notable teams like the Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights. Their recent victories followed some tough contests, including a heavy 7-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Despite their current struggles, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff emphasizes the need for improvement, stating, We have to play a besser game on the road. I thought the last 40 minutes was good hockey.
On the other side of the ice, the Bruins have had their own challenges this season. Holding a record of 30-38, they currently sit four points back from the second wild card spot, making this game critically important. The Bruins have had some promising performances after trading key players like Charlie Coyle and Brad Marchand, yet inconsistencies have marred their playoff aspirations. After two consecutive losses to the Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning, they must bounce back against the Sabres.
Heading to this contest, the Sabres' offensive stats reveal an average of 2.87 goals per game, ranking them 17th, whereas their defense has been less impressive, allowing 3.52 goals against, putting them at 30th. Coupled with their shooting stats, where they average 25.68 shots on goal (30th), the Sabres' ability to convert opportunities could be the key to their success on the road.
The Bruins, with their power-play percentage at 15.1%, rank 29th, raising questions about their efficiency when it counts the most. Their defensive unit doesn't fare much mejor either, ranking 23rd with 3.19 goals allowed per game.
The two teams have met twice this season; the Bruins took the first game 3-1 on December 21 and dominated the second meeting 7-2 on January 28. With the upcoming game being their third encounter and another rematch scheduled for April 6, both teams are desperate to claim bragging rights.
Notably, injuries could play a pivotal role. For the Sabres, key players such as Joshua Norris, John-Jason Peterka, and Jiri Kulich are all listed as day-to-day, making lineup decisions uncertain. The absence of these goal-scorers may hinder their offensive capacity at TD Garden. Meanwhile, for the Bruins, Charlie McAvoy is out due to shoulder issues, and Hampus Lindholm is out for the season with kneecap problems, adding to their struggles on the blue line.
Each team has exhibited mixed results on special teams, reflecting their struggles this season. Buffalo's power play ranks 27th at 17.2%, with the penalty kill slightly improving, positioned at 24th with 76.14%. Comparatively, the Bruins' power play is at 15% and their penalty kill at 76.33% - not much of an advantage either way here.
Anticipation is building as both teams prepare for this encounter, with betting odds currently leaning slightly toward the Sabres at -115 against the Bruins' -105, leaving it as perhaps one of the closest matchups of the season. Statistically, the total combined goals for the game is set at 5.5, but many predict it might skew higher based on the current scoring abilities of both sides.
Fans will not want to miss out on the action, as the game also highlights new player dynamics following trade season. Both teams will need to bring their A-game to come out on top, especially considering the overarching stakes involved not just for this game but for the rest of their seasons. Tune in via ESPN+ and Fubo for coverage.
With playoffs on the line and both the Sabres and Bruins needing victories to keep their postseason dreams alive, sets the stage for what could be one of the most interesting games of the season. See how the players respond under pressure as these two teams aim to finish strong.
