The Boston Bruins host Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals tonight, Monday April 20, against the Buffalo Sabres. The series is knotted at one apiece. NHL oddsmakers at SBGGLOBAL.com have the Bruins as -140 moneyline home favorites over the Sabres (+120) with the over/under set at 5 goals . Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: 2010 NHL Playoffs: Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins Game 3 Odds & Prediction in now at SBGGLOBAL.com
The Sabres suffered an injury to their leading goal-scorer, Thomas Vanek and it could have a major affect on the rest of the series if it causes him to miss significant time. It's reportedly a high ankle sprain that is expected to sideline Vanek for Game 3 and perhaps longer. In Game 2 the Habs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, but the Bruins took the lead by going ahead 3-2 on a Jason Pominville goal. They had been 31-0-0 up to that point when leading after 40 minutes . But this one didn't hold up, and they were handed a 5-3 defeat that evens up the best-of-seven series heading back to Boston. "It's tough. But no one said you're going to walk through the playoffs," goalie Ryan Miller said. "The good part is they don't tell you what order you have to win. You just have to win four." Ryan Miller has a .928 SVPCT over the first two games and a 2.50 GAA. The Sabres have struck first in each of the first two games of this series and are now 32-7-4 this season when getting the first goal.
The Bruins got a pair of third period goals from Michael Ryder and Zdeno Chara to get the win. “It's definitely good to get two goals in the third period and bounce back from a deficit," said Tuukka Rask, who stopped 26 shots. "I think everybody realized now that it's playoffs and we can't let down. Today we did a great job of that." Goalie Tuukka Rask played great and has a 3.00 GAA in two playoff games. Chara ended the regular season with assists in four straight games, and the Bruins captain added another in Game 1 before recording the first multi-goal game of his playoff career on Saturday. Ryder also had a two-goal game in the regular-season finale, a shootout win against the Capitals. The Bruins hadn't beaten the Sabres in a postseason game in eight tries , dating back to a 5-4 overtime win in the first round of the 1992 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Bruins had one of the poorer home records in the NHL this season, going just 18-17-6, while the Sabres were 20-17-4 on the road.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Under is 4-1-2 in the last 7 meetings.
- Bruins are 5-1 in their last 6 Conference Quarterfinals games.
- Bruins are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
- Bruins are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Sabres are 4-1 in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.
- Sabres are 9-4 in their last 13 vs. a team with a losing record.
Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins
When: Monday April 20, 2010 7:00 PM ET
Line: SBGGLOBAL.com
Pick: Bruins -140
Point-Spreads.com 2010 NHL Playoffs: Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins Game 3 Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: The Bruins are stronger at home. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins Game 3 Odds & Predictions in now at SBGGLOBAL.com and receive up to 260% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
