Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. This edition will cover the Boston Bruins visiting the Buffalo Sabres in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL Predictions: Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres
Series so far: Sabres 1-0 Bruins
How to Watch: US TV: ESPN; NESN; MSG Buffalo; ESPN+. Canada TV: SN1; SN360; TVA Sports 2.
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Credit Image: © Alex Cave/ZUMA Press Wire
From the jump, Game 1 looked like an instant classic in the making. The Sabres comeback was one for the history books. A demoralized Boston returns to a raucous Buffalo, New York, hoping to draw to even in the series. The Sabres will look to build off of late game heroics, and continue to capitalize at home.
The @BuffaloSabres became the first team in NHL postseason history to win in regulation time after trailing by two or more goals to zero with eight minutes or fewer remaining in regulation. pic.twitter.com/P0Hss3ROyo
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) April 20, 2026
The Goalies
Both Jeremy Swayman and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played well in their respective creases. It’s likely that both goalies will go again in Game 2. Luukkonen looked vulnerable in the first, and Boston managed to capitalize early with Morgan Geekie‘s goal. However, Luukkonen in the second stopped two David Pastrnak break-away attempts. Luukkonen gave up one more goal, but was otherwise solid in his playoff debut.
Swayman looked like a brick wall through most of Game 1. Stopping the first 31 shots from the Sabres was incredible, but it all fell apart in the end. The Sabres scored on three of their next six shots. Ultimately costing the Bruins the game. Swayman locked it down for a majority of the game. Can the Bruins rely on him to do that again? That’s what will be answered in Game 2 for Boston.
Star Power
The Sabres and Bruins relied heavily on the contributions from their best players. Pastrnak was fantastic to open the game. With a primary assist on Geekie’s goal, and a secondary assist Elias Lindholm‘s goal in the third period. However, the second period break-aways will haunt the superstar for days to come. He had two clean chances to beat Luukkonen and extent the Bruins lead. He failed to, and the Sabres end up coming back to win the game. Also, off the back of their superstar.
Tage Thompson had a magical third period in Buffalo. Scoring the first and second goal for the Sabres. The building that once shook from the noise of the fans, was quiet as a mouse. Tage reignited that roar both times he scored, and got the fans back into it. Thompson then assisted on the empty net goal en route to a three point playoff debut. Both Thompson and Pastrnak were fantastic, but which one of them can keep it up in Game 2?
TAGE THOMPSON’S GOT TWO GOALS AND TIED IT FOR THE SABRES! GET LOUD BUFFALO! ?
??: @espn
??: @Sportsnet & @TVASports 2 pic.twitter.com/7CQFbkVw4j— NHL (@NHL) April 20, 2026
The Tough Guys
Both teams came into this series wanting to be the bully. Naturally, everyone expected it to be the Bruins. With Tanner Jeannot, Nikita Zadorov, and others leading the physical style of play in Boston. Expect it would be the Sabres to lead this game in hits. The Sabres leveled 53 hits, the most in a game since 2010.
Stat of the night: According to @statmuse, #Sabres 53 hits on the night are the most in a game for Buffalo since at least April 17, 2010.
Seems Buffalo took Marco Sturm’s physicality comments literally! #Sabrehood @CrossSwordsPod pic.twitter.com/PC6NwOphl4
— Carson Hayek (@CarsonHayek) April 20, 2026
The physicality is going to play a role in this series. The Sabres take Game 1 in that regard, but can they keep it up over multiple games? They’ll need to if they want to go up 2-0 on home ice.
Prediction: Sabres win 5-2.
Main Photo Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
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