Two Northeast rivals will renew acquaintances Wednesday when the Boston Bruins take the ice against the Buffalo Sabres.
These teams are at opposite ends of the Eastern Conference spectrum, Boston just three points back of the Rangers for first and Buffalo skirting dangerously close to last with a two-point lead over Carolina.
If Buffalo has any legitimate hope of getting back into the playoff hunt, this four-game homestand would be an excellent place to start. The Sabres played eight of their past nine games on the road and started off going 0-5 before Ryan Miller put a stop to things with a 2-1 shootout win over Martin Brodeur and the Devils.
Buffalo is now 3-0-1 in its past four and will host the Devils along with Dallas and Tampa Bay in the week ahead but they must first contend with the Bruins. Boston is listed at -170 and the total at online sportsbooks is 5.5 Under (-135). Tuukka Rask is in net for Boston.
The Sabres 10th ranked power play on home ice fizzled against the Rangers last Wednesday (Feb. 1) but Henrik Lundqvist was spectacular, turning away all 34 shots through 65 minutes in a 1-0 shootout win. Boston will present the Sabres with plenty of opportunity and if they can get production from special teams, Buffalo is in line to pull off an upset.
NHL Picks: Buffalo is 13-6-6 in one goal games this season and this one will be tight. The odds on the Sabres pay back at +150.
We like the Sabres getting +150 at home.
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