Buffalo Sabres Defeat Boston Bruins 4-1 in NHL Clash
Friday, May 1, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · TD Garden
Buffalo Sabres 4, Boston Bruins 1, final. Our NHL picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins?
Buffalo Sabres beat Boston Bruins 4-1 at TD Garden on May 1, 2026.
Who was favored in Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins?
Buffalo Sabres were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -130 (about 57% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive victory, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1 at TD Garden on May 1, 2026. This win allowed the Sabres to clinch the series 3-1 against the Bruins, showcasing their dominance throughout the matchup. The game featured a series of scoring plays that highlighted the Sabres' offensive prowess, starting with Alex Tuch's opening goal in the first period, followed by Mattias Samuelsson doubling the lead shortly after. David Pastrnak managed to get one back for the Bruins in the second period, but the Sabres responded with two more goals in the third period from Zach Benson and Josh Norris to seal the victory.
The Bruins entered the game with a home record of 45-27-10 and were looking to build on a recent two-game winning streak, having won their last two matches against the New Jersey Devils and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Over their last ten games, the Bruins had a record of 5-5, averaging 3.2 goals scored and allowing 2.6 goals per game. However, they faced challenges at home, where they had a record of 3-1 in their last four games. In contrast, the Sabres came into this matchup with an away record of 50-23-9, having won six of their last ten games, although they were on a one-game losing streak after a recent loss to the Dallas Stars. The Sabres averaged 3.4 goals scored and 3.0 goals allowed over their last ten games.
In terms of injuries, the Bruins were missing key players, including Charlie McAvoy, who was serving a suspension, and Nikita Zadorov, who was out due to a knee injury. The Sabres also had significant absences, with Justin Danforth and Jiri Kulich on injured reserve, and Noah Ostlund sidelined with a lower body injury. These injuries affected both teams' lineups, but the Sabres managed to adapt better, as evidenced by their performance in this game.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Sabres favored at -130, with a spread of 1.5 and a total set at 5.5. The home money line for the Bruins was at +110, while the away money line for the Sabres was -130. This reflected the expectations of the Sabres' strong form leading into the game.
Weather conditions at TD Garden were typical for an indoor hockey game, with no external weather factors affecting play. The atmosphere was charged as fans anticipated a competitive matchup, but the Sabres quickly took control, demonstrating their offensive capabilities and solidifying their position in the series.
Viewers should have noted the standout performances from key players like Tage Thompson, who assisted on two goals, and Rasmus Dahlin, who contributed with three assists. The Sabres' ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities while maintaining defensive discipline ultimately led to their victory. This game not only highlighted the Sabres' skill but also marked a significant moment in their playoff journey against a formidable Bruins team.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | BUF -130 | 5.5 o -122 / u +102 | Buffalo Sabres -130 · Boston Bruins +110 |
Injury report
- Charlie McAvoySuspensionSuspensionBoston Bruins
- Nikita ZadorovOutKneeBoston Bruins
- Justin DanforthInjured ReserveKneecapBuffalo Sabres
- Jiri KulichInjured ReserveEarBuffalo Sabres
- Noah OstlundOutLower BodyBuffalo Sabres
Leaders
- GoalsDavid Pastrnak1Boston Bruins
- AssistsHampus Lindholm1Boston Bruins
- PointsDavid Pastrnak1Boston Bruins
- GoalsZach Benson1Buffalo Sabres
- AssistsTage Thompson2Buffalo Sabres
- PointsZach Benson2Buffalo Sabres
Recent form
Boston Bruins
Last 10: 5-5Streak W23.2 scored · 2.6 allowed per game3-1 at home
- W4-0vs New Jersey DevilsApr 14
- W3-2at Columbus Blue JacketsApr 12
- L1-2vs Tampa Bay LightningApr 11
- L5-6at Carolina HurricanesApr 7
- L1-2at Philadelphia FlyersApr 5
- L1-3at Tampa Bay LightningApr 4
- L1-2at Florida PanthersApr 2
- W6-3vs Dallas StarsMar 31
- W4-3at Columbus Blue JacketsMar 29
- W6-3vs Minnesota WildMar 28
Buffalo Sabres
Last 10: 6-4Streak L13.4 scored · 3 allowed per game2-2 away
- L3-4vs Dallas StarsApr 15
- W5-1at Chicago BlackhawksApr 14
- W5-0vs Columbus Blue JacketsApr 9
- W5-3at New York RangersApr 8
- W4-2vs Tampa Bay LightningApr 6
- L2-6at Washington CapitalsApr 4
- L1-4at Ottawa SenatorsApr 2
- W4-3vs New York IslandersMar 31
- W3-2vs Seattle KrakenMar 28
- L2-5vs Detroit Red WingsMar 27
Standings
| Team | Ot losses | Lost | Points | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 9 | 23 | 109 | 50 |
| Tampa Bay | 6 | 26 | 106 | 50 |
| Montreal | 10 | 24 | 106 | 48 |
| Boston | 10 | 27 | 100 | 45 |
| Ottawa | 11 | 27 | 99 | 44 |
| Detroit | 10 | 31 | 92 | 41 |
| Florida | 4 | 38 | 84 | 40 |
| Toronto | 14 | 36 | 78 | 32 |
Box score
| Stat | Buffalo Sabres | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked shots | 19 | 9 |
| Hits | 27 | 43 |
| Takeaways | 3 | 3 |
| Shots total | 26 | 26 |
| Power play goals | 0 | 0 |
| Power play opportunities | 4 | 0 |
| Power play pct | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Short handed goals | 0 | 0 |
| Shootout goals | 0 | 0 |
| Faceoffs won | 26 | 33 |
| Faceoff percent | 44.1 | 55.9 |
| Giveaways | 19 | 15 |
| Penalties | 1 | 5 |
| Penalty minutes | 2 | 21 |
How the scoring went
- 1st1-0Alex Tuch Goal (4) Snap Shot, assists: Rasmus Dahlin (2), Tage Thompson (4)
- 1st2-0Mattias Samuelsson Goal (2) Snap Shot, assists: Peyton Krebs (4), Tage Thompson (5)
- 2nd2-1David Pastrnak Goal (3) Slap Shot, assists: Pavel Zacha (2), Hampus Lindholm (2)
- 3rd3-1Zach Benson Goal (2) Snap Shot, assists: Josh Doan (2)
- 3rd4-1Josh Norris Goal (1) Snap Shot, assists: Rasmus Dahlin (3), Zach Benson (1)
Venue
- TD GardenBoston, MA
- Attendance17850
- OfficialsGord Dwyer, Tommy Hughes, Trent Knorr, Jake Brenk, Pierre Lambert, Tyson Baker
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These two, other days
- Bruins Edge Sabres in Overtime ThrillerApr 28, 2026
- Sabres Dominate Bruins in 6-1 VictoryApr 26, 2026
- Sabres Defeat Bruins 3-1 in NHL ClashApr 23, 2026
- Bruins Defeat Sabres 4-2 in NHL MatchupApr 21, 2026
- Sabres Edge Bruins in Thrilling 4-3 VictoryApr 19, 2026