Breaking down the Bruins vs. Sabres matchup with our Game 3 prediction and pick for the 2026 NHL Playoffs first round.
The Bruins vs. Sabres first-round series will shift to Boston on Thursday night for Game 3 of the first round of the 2026 NHL Playoffs, with first puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. ET. On DraftKings Sportsbook, there is an even split on the Moneyline at -110 odds, and the game’s total is set at O/U 6.5 goals.
Below, I’ll provide a Bruins vs. Sabres Game 3 prediction and pick.
If not for Buffalo’s epic third-period comeback in Game 1, this series could very well be 2-0 with each of the next two games played at TD Garden in Boston. The Bruins have had control of this series for all but eight minutes thus far, and the home crowd bump will likely pay dividends, considering they sported the second-best home record during the regular season at 29-11-1. Boston just simply needs to keep doing what it is doing, and that is slowing the game down, killing penalties and winning the 5v5 battle. The Bruins are a perfect 9-for-9 on the penalty kill this postseason, and given the Sabres’ putrid power play production since late March, the team is likely fine with taking penalties at this point. If Jeremy Swayman continues his play and the club wins the 5v5 battle, it will be tough sledding for the Sabres.
Buffalo’s high-flying regular-season offense has essentially disappeared. The club relied heavily on its 5v5 and overall depth production, and it hasn’t translated into the postseason, with zero 5v5 high-danger chances and just four 5v5 goals across the first two games. These two teams clearly hate each other, and it has resulted in a combined 17 power play opportunities, but the Sabres simply cannot find any success in this department. For reference, Buffalo hasn’t converted on the power play since Mar. 31. To make things worse, the Sabres are losing the goaltender battle badly, and it may be Alex Lyon’s time, as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looked rough in Game 2, and Lyon has playoff experience.
The Sabres have forgotten about their brand of hockey and are focusing too much on matching the Bruins’ physicality. Boston has been the better team this series and will come out strong in front of the home crowd.
Boston’s second line has been humming. Arvidsson netted six goals across the final six games of the regular season and is coming off a strong two-goal performance in Game 2.
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