The Buffalo Sabres head into TD Garden on Saturday night hoping to shake off the weight of a 12-game winless stretch as they square off against the Boston Bruins. In what marks the first of four meetings between the Atlantic Division rivals, Buffalo is desperate to regain its footing after a tough 6-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs just a night earlier.
The Sabres’ recent struggles have dropped them to 11-18-4, sitting at eighth place in the division. Meanwhile, the Bruins, holding a 17-13-4 record, have steadied their ship and now occupy a playoff position, showing resilience under interim head coach Joe Sacco.
A Test of Character After Toronto Setback
Buffalo’s Friday night game against Toronto was a snapshot of their recent frustrations. The Sabres dug themselves an early 2-0 hole less than two minutes into the game. While they attempted to claw back, costly puck decisions repeatedly fed into Toronto’s lethal transition game. Even when the Sabres seemed to shift momentum, the results failed to materialize—twice they found the back of the net, only to see the goals waved off by officials.
Defensive breakdowns continued to plague the Sabres, as high-danger scoring chances piled up for the Maple Leafs. Buffalo’s defense bent under pressure, particularly during odd-man rushes, leaving netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen exposed. Despite being pulled in the second period after allowing four goals on 13 shots, Luukkonen’s performance was hardly the primary issue. The breakdowns stemmed from Buffalo’s inability to adhere to structured five-man play, with individual lapses costing them dearly.
Head coach Lindy Ruff has stressed the importance of discipline and structure, especially when trailing. The Sabres have struggled to handle adversity within games, often abandoning their system in favor of high-risk plays.
Focus on Execution and Sticking to the Plan
A recurring theme in Buffalo’s losses has been the tendency to deviate from team-oriented hockey when facing deficits. While the Sabres have shown they can open games with strong performances—they scored first in seven of the ten games preceding their back-to-back losses this week—closing games has been a different story.
Maintaining composure and trusting the system will be critical against Boston, a team adept at grinding out one-goal wins. The Bruins have thrived in tight situations, securing five victories by a single goal during their 14-game run under Sacco.
Brad Marchand remains a central figure in Boston’s success, currently riding an eight-game point streak, while David Pastrnak continues to serve as their offensive catalyst with 33 points. Despite Boston’s strengths, their power play has been among the league’s weakest, operating at just 12.7 percent—an area Buffalo could exploit if they can stay disciplined.
Players to Watch
JJ Peterka has been one of the brighter spots for Buffalo during the team’s slump. The forward has notched six points in his last five outings, showing signs of growth and consistency. Alex Tuch, meanwhile, has proven himself a thorn in Boston’s side, accumulating six points in his last three visits to TD Garden. His ability to generate offense in key moments could play a pivotal role in this matchup.
Bowen Byram is another name to watch. The defenseman is set to face the Bruins for the first time in his career, marking the final active NHL team he has yet to square off against. Byram’s ability to transition the puck and contribute offensively could provide a needed spark from the back end.
Additionally, Dylan Cozens has quietly put together a solid stretch, recording points in consecutive games. His physical play and ability to create scoring chances will be key in navigating Boston’s stingy defense.
Projected Lineups for Today’s Game – Courtesy of NHL.com
Sabres projected lineup
Jason Zucker — Tage Thompson — Alex Tuch
JJ Peterka — Dylan Cozens — Jack Quinn
Zach Benson — Jiri Kulich — Peyton Krebs
Beck Malenstyn — Ryan McLeod — Sam Lafferty
Mattias Samuelsson — Owen Power
Dennis Gilbert — Connor Clifton
Scratched: Jacob Bryson, Henri Jokiharju, Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Injured: Jordan Greenway (middle body)
Bruins projected lineup
Morgan Geekie — Pavel Zacha — David Pastrňák
Brad Marchand — Elias Lindholm — Charlie Coyle
Justin Brazeau — Trent Frederic — Oliver Wahlstrom
John Beecher — Mark Kastelic — Cole Koepke
Nikita Zadorov — Charlie McAvoy
Jordan Oesterle — Brandon Carlo
Scratched: Parker Wotherspoon, Marc McLaughlin
Injured: Hampus Lindholm (lower body)
Game Outlook
Buffalo’s path to victory hinges on tightening defensive gaps and limiting unforced errors. The Bruins excel in capitalizing on mistakes, and the Sabres cannot afford to hand them easy opportunities. A strong, disciplined start will be essential, but maintaining composure is equally important if they fall behind.
The Sabres have proven they can match up against quality opponents but must overcome the mental hurdle that has seen them unravel in key moments. With a winless streak that now stretches to 12 games, the urgency is palpable. A victory in Boston could serve as the turning point Buffalo needs to reset the course of their season.
Puck drops at 7:00 PM, with full coverage available on MSG and WGR 550.
