By: Andrew Patten | Follow Me on Twitter/X @a_patten11
It’s hard to believe that about a year ago at this time, Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney and Team President Cam Neely were addressing the media after an unsuccessful 2024-25 season. This year has been the exact opposite. The Bruins shocked the National Hockey League by producing a 100-point season, good enough to capture the Eastern Conference’s top wild card spot. It’s a season nobody outside their locker room expected.
But while the story of the Bruins 2025-26 campaign has been a magical one, the expectations have risen. Boston is now 16 wins away from capturing their seventh Stanley Cup. But in order to do that, they’ll first need to get by the Atlantic Division champion Buffalo Sabres. Will the Bruins be able to do so? I asked the BNG crew for their predictions for the Bruins-Sabres series.
Jake Ferraro – Bruins in Six
“I think Boston’s home ice play and Sabres playoff inexperience with key core players will hurt them. Boston also won 3/4 meetings.”
Mary Olivia Eyears – Bruins in Seven
“While Buffalo enters the series favored due to their explosive season, the Bruins’ experience and structure favor them over a longer period of time. The Sabres are returning to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade and have limited postseason experience across the locker room, while Boston has proven playoff experience, especially with goalies.
Buffalo has impressive scoring depth, but the inconsistency at 5-on-5 leaves Boston able to capitalize. Also adding Boston’s record against Buffalo this season and the Bruins’ success against them. The Bruins’ drive and push to also get into a wildcard position have proven their ability to produce under pressure.”
Declan Flavin – Bruins in Six
“The inexperience of Buffalo, paired with Swayman’s capability in the playoffs, will lead to their eventual bowing out. Although there are things to be excited about offensively for Boston, it won’t really determine the series in the general sense. Pedigree matters in this specific case, and the Bruins have plenty of it with Pastrnak and others as well. The defensive side of the ice will also need to improve for the Bruins, given the different style the playoffs bring. The Sabres are here early in their flourishing as an organization, and it will be key for them to have a loss like this.”
Gregory Thibeau – Bruins in Six
“I think Boston can win this series in six, but not because of the experience narrative. It comes down to whether they can shift the actual drivers of winning hockey. Jeremy Swayman is the foundation; if he plays at an elite level, he can erase Boston’s defensive deficiencies with key saves and steal games. The bigger swing factor is James Hagens, whose speed and puck transport ability can stabilize the forward group and improve Boston’s 5v5 play enough to avoid getting tilted over long stretches, especially if the new line combinations create better balance behind Pastrnak’s unit.
On special teams, Boston already has the power-play edge. If they can tighten the penalty kill through personnel and structural adjustments, even to league average, they remove one of Buffalo’s clearest advantages. Boston doesn’t need to dominate every category; they need to neutralize their weaknesses and let their strengths decide the series. If Swayman holds, personnel changes drive possession, and the penalty kill stops being a liability, the Bruins win the series in six.”
Alexis Caines – Bruins in Seven
“This is going to be a fun physical series. It’s a cliche, but playoffs are a whole new season, and I think the lack of experience with some of their core players will have an impact. The Bruins have the edge when it comes to goaltending, and if we get Swayman at his best, I think he’ll be the key to success. I give Buffalo a lot of credit because they have been a really fun team to watch. This shouldn’t be an easy win for either team at any point in the series.”
Eamonn McLean – Bruins in Six
“I think Boston’s physicality grinds down Buffalo over six games, and Buffalo isn’t built to take advantage of the Bruins’ weaknesses. I think Buffalo is a very good team, but this is a good matchup for the B’s as evidenced by their record against the Sabres this season. Buffalo’s PP is average, which should cancel out the opportunities the Bruins might give them from their physical style of play.”
Andrew Patten – Bruins in Seven
“I echo a lot of what my colleagues have said. Buffalo has been a great story this season, but I believe there’s more pressure on them to win this series than the Bruins, which I think falls in Boston’s favor. I expect Jeremy Swayman to be the playoff goalie the last time we saw him in the postseason, and Boston’s physicality could have a big impact on the Sabers. Look for Boston’s fourth line to play a huge role in this series. They finished the regular season red hot.”
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