Josh Doan had an excellent debut season with the Buffalo Sabres, piling up 25 goals and 52 points while playing a key role in getting them back to the playoffs.
My Bruins vs. Sabres predictions and NHL picks see the hard-nosed winger making his presence felt offensively in his first playoff game.
Bruins vs Sabres Game 1 prediction
Who will win Bruins vs Sabres Game 1?
Sabres: Buffalo's skill, team speed, and home-ice advantage should definitely be a factor after 15 years of sitting on the sidelines come playoff time.
Bruins vs Sabres best bet: Josh Doan Over 1.5 shots (-150)
Josh Doan generated at least two shots in 61% of his games against Bottom-10 shot suppression teams this season.
He cleared this line in 10 of 12 home dates vs. Bottom-10 shot suppression sides, averaging 2.3 shots on 4.5 attempts.
Not only is the matchup good, but he’s skating on a line with Josh Norris. Doan averaged 10.22 shots on goal per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play — easily the highest of any linemate he had all season.
Bruins vs Sabres Game 1 same-game parlay
Doan has excelled playing alongside Norris and Zach Benson, outscoring opponents 8-2 at 5-on-5. They help elevate his offensive ceiling at even-strength.
He also skates on the No. 1 power play, where he has exposure to elite weapons like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin.
On the other side, Charlie McAvoy averaged a point per game over the second half of the season and hit the scoresheet in a remarkable 78% of his appearances. He’s in line for monstrous minutes in this high-event series, making him a good candidate to produce.
Bruins vs Sabres SGP
- Josh Doan Over 1.5 shots
- Josh Doan Over 0.5 points
- Charlie McAvoy Over 0.5 points
Bruins vs Sabres Game 1 goal scorer pick
Josh Doan (+285)
Josh Doan is a playoff-type player. He plays a hard-nosed game and will work to get to the dirty areas of the ice, which is what’s needed at this time of year.
He has the hands and skill to finish in tight, and he has a better track record than many realize. He ranked third on the Sabres in 5-on-5 goals and outscored the likes of Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch on the man advantage.
Bruins vs Sabres odds for Game 1
- Moneyline: Bruins +130 | Sabres -150
- Puck Line: Bruins +1.5 (-190) | Sabres -1.5 (+160)
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+120) | Under 6.5 (-140)
Bruins vs Sabres trend
Josh Doan has logged five points over his last five games. Find more NHL betting trends for Bruins vs. Sabres.
How to watch Bruins vs Sabres Game 1
| Location | KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY |
| Date | Sunday, April 19, 2026 |
| Puck drop | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Bruins vs Sabres latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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