Sabres vs Bruins Preview: Projected Lines, Matchups, and Betting Odds | October 11, 2025
- Jason Moser
- Oct 11
- 4 min read
Quick Preview: What to Know
Key Storyline: Sabres look to overcome key injuries and find their first win of the season
Injury Report
Buffalo Sabres
Josh Norris (Upper Body) - Out Indefinitely
Zach Benson (Face) - Day-to-day
Owen Power (Illness) - Day-to-day [IR]
Michael Kesselring (Undisclosed) - Week-to-week [IR]
Jordan Greenway (Lower Body) - Week-to-week [IR]
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Lower Body) - Week-to-week [IR]
Boston Bruins
Hampus Lindholm (Lower Body) - Day-to-day
Statistical Edge: Bruins have posted a 52.7% xGF% through two games
Betting Odds: Sabres are consensus -105 underdogs with a goal total set at 6.5
Sabres vs Bruins: Game Preview Summary
Sabres vs Bruins: Setting the Stage
The Buffalo Sabres (0-1-0, 8th in Atlantic) enter October 11, 2025's matchup against the Boston Bruins (2-0-0, 2nd in Atlantic) looking to get their first win of the season. Buffalo went scoreless in their first game, while Boston has won two straight to start the season.
This rivalry between Atlantic Division foes is the first of four meetings this season. From a standings perspective, both the Sabres and Bruins were on the outside looking in come playoff time last season.
Casey Mittelstadt and Henri Jokiharju will suit up for the Bruins, as they face their former Sabres teammates. Former Buffalo 16th overall draft pick - Nikita Zadorov - will also face his former squad.
Check out our Sabres season projections, here.
Sabres vs Bruins Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres Projected Lines
Buffalo Sabres Forward Lines
LINE 1: Jason Zucker - Jiri Kulich - Tage Thompson
LINE 2: Jack Quinn - Ryan McLeod - Alex Tuch
LINE 3: Josh Doan - Peyton Krebs - Justin Danforth
LINE 4: Mason Geertsen - Tyson Kozak - Beck Malenstyn
Status: Projected
Buffalo Sabres Defense Pairs
PAIR 1: Bowen Byram - Rasmus Dahlin
PAIR 2: Mattias Samuelsson - Conor Timmins
PAIR 3: Ryan Johnson - Jacob Bryson
Status: Projected
Buffalo Sabres Starting Goalie
STARTER: Alex Lyon
BACKUP: Colten Ellis
Status: Projected
Lineup Source: Matthew Fairburn. The Athletic
Boston Bruins Projected Lines
Boston Bruins Forward Lines
LINE 1: Morgan Geekie - Elias Lindholm - David Pastrnak
LINE 2: Pavel Zacha - Casey Mittelstadt- Viktor Arvidsson
LINE 3: Tanner Jeannot - Fraser Minten - Mikey Eyssimont
LINE 4: Marat Khusnutdinov - Sean Kuraly- Mark Kastelic
Status: Confirmed
Boston Bruins Defense Pairs
PAIR 1: Mason Lohrei - Charlie McAvoy
PAIR 2: Jordan Harris - Andrew Peeke
PAIR 3: Nikita Zadorov - Henri Jokiharju
Status: Confirmed
Boston Bruins Starting Goalie
STARTER: Jeremy Swayman
BACKUP: Joonas Korpisalo
Status: Confirmed
Lineup Source: Fluto Shinzawa. The Athletic
**Lineups subject to change
Important Trends
Sabres on the road: 0-0-0 record
Bruins at home: 1-0-0 record, +3 goal differential
Head-to-head: 0-0-0 record
Back-to-back impact: None
Rest advantage: Even
Faceoff battle: Sabres 35%, Bruins 54.1%
Shot generation: Sabres 37 per game, Bruins 27.5 per game
The X-Factor: Jeremy Swayman
The wild card tonight is Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman's performance against Buffalo's shot-heavy offensive approach. Swayman struggled last season, but is off to a hot start with 35 saves and only one goal against in Boston's season opener. Buffalo registered 37 shots on goal in their opener against the New York Rangers. Swayman will be tested early and often. If he can ward off the Sabres early, the Bruins will be in a much better position playing with a lead.
Sabres vs Bruins Projection & Betting Picks
After analyzing every matchup against the sportsbook odds, here's our PuckLuck projection and betting picks for Sabres vs Bruins.
Our Data Driven Projection
PuckLuck's model projects the Buffalo Sabres to prevail based on better overall talent at forward and more dynamic creators offense. The Sabres' shooting talent should be the deciding factor. While the Boston Bruins' red-hot top line gives them a chance, Buffalo still has the edge in expected shot generation and tempo. Expect a back-and-forth affair, with the outcome determined by a key save or two.
Betting Odds & Best Bets
Our Best Bet: Over 6.5 +115. The value here is clear when you consider the expected shot volume in this game. PuckLuck's model gives this bet a 49% hit probability, making the +115 offering solid value. You may be saying, "Wait, my sportsbook sets the total goals at 5.5," to which we say - slide that alternate odds bet in there. It should be worth it.
Also Consider: Sabres moneyline. The PuckLuck projection on the Sabres winning this game aligns with the sportsbook odds. Sure, there's no edge, but you're not losing any value either.
Avoid: Anything on the Bruins side. Despite Boston's hot start, their betting market is spiked due to perceived value on both sides rather than actual value. Don't be fooled by the injuries on the Sabres end or the Pastrnak-effect - Buffalo is still the better team.
The Takeaway
Example: "The Sabres should control this game through superior depth scoring and the Thompson line's dominance over the defensively-deficient Mason Lohrei on the top defensive pair. Buffalo's victory may not be pretty, but their expected shot share and edge in talent should prove decisive. The line matchups heavily favor the blue and gold tonight.
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What's your prediction for tonight's game? Join the conversation on X/Twitter [@PuckLuckJay]
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