Boston Host Dallas as Slight Favorite at the NHL Betting Odds

Boston Host Dallas as Slight Favorite at the NHL Betting Odds

Written by on January 15, 2018

There is nothing quite like a holiday Monday, which is exactly what many people in the US will be enjoying on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the 15th. If you are a sports fan, then you are in for a bit of a treat, as we have some matinee action on tap for the holiday. Not only do you get to relax and watch some great hockey action, you also have some great opportunities to cash in, starting with the afternoon game between the Dallas Stars and the NHL betting odds favorite Boston Bruins. These are a pair of teams in the thick of the playoff race at the halfway point of the season, and both are coming into this one on a good run of form. The Bruins are trying to keep pace with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Atlantic Division, which is no mean feat given how well the Bolts are playing this year. Dallas is down in 5th in the Central Division, but still very much in the thick of things in the Western Conference playoff race. This should be a great game, and an excellent way to get your holiday Monday started.

Stars vs. Bruins NHL Betting Odds & Game Preview

  • When: Monday, January 15, 2 PM EST
  • Where: TD Garden, Boston
  • TV: TSN
  • Radio: 1310 AM (Dallas) / 98.5 FM (Boston)
  • Live Stream: NHL.tv
  • NHL Betting Odds: Boston Bruins -1.5 (Over/Under at 5.5 goals)

Team Records

  • All: Dallas Stars 24-17-3 / Boston Bruins 24-10-7
  • Home: Dallas Stars 16-6-1 / Boston Bruins 14-5-3
  • Away: Dallas Stars 8-11-2 / Boston Bruins 10-5-4
  • As Favorite: Dallas Stars 19-11-1 / Boston Bruins 19-7-3
  • As Underdog: Dallas Stars 5-6-2 / Boston Bruins 5-3-4
  • ATS: Dallas Stars 21-23 / Boston Bruins 21-20
  • Over/Under: Dallas Stars 25-18-1 / Boston Bruins 20-20-1

Why consider the NHL Betting Odds for the Stars?

If the season were to end today, the Dallas Stars would be in the playoffs by the skin of their teeth. The Stars are sitting on 51 points, which is good enough to have them sitting in the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. It’s a tight race over there, and a run of form, either good or bad, could see things change very quickly. Dallas has been on the good side of the form books of late, and are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. The downside is that the Stars have been a much better team at home than on the road this season, and they come into this week sitting 3 games below .500 in road games. They have also not had very much success against the Bruins in recent seasons, and have lost each of their last 3 meetings with them. This is a match-up that routinely delivers goals, with a total of 37 scored in the last 5 match-ups between these two.

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Goals: 3.02
  • Shots: 31.45
  • PP/PK Percentage: 19.55
Defense
  • Goals: 2.77
  • Shots: 29.82
  • PP/PK Percentage: 19.21

Why consider the NHL Betting Odds for the Bruins?

In any other season, the Boston Bruins might well be out on top in the Atlantic Division, but as it is, they are in second place, currently 10 points adrift of the high-flying Tampa Bay Lightning. That said, the Bruins have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last 10 games, going 8-0-2 during that stretch. The Bruins are favored by the NHL Betting Odds against the Stars. This is a team that is good in every facet of the game, and they are in the top 10 in all the major stats. They are scoring 32 GPG, good for 6th best in the league, and are top 3 in goals allowed per game at 2.5. Special teams have also been going well for the Bruins, as they are among the most effective in the league on the power play and penalty kill. The Bruins are an impressive 14-5-3 at the Garden this season and are always tough to beat on home ice.

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Goals: 3.29
  • Shots: 31.68
  • PP/PK Percentage: 21.37
Defense
  • Goals: 2.56
  • Shots: 29.66
  • PP/PK Percentage: 17.32

Latest NHL Betting Trends

  • Stars are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games on the road
  • Stars are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 6 of Dallas’s last 8 games
  • Bruins are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games
  • Bruins are 9-2 SU in their last 11 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston’s last 7 games

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

Both these teams are playing well right now, but it’s tough to see past their record at home and away. The Bruins have a definite edge in that regard, which is why I like them to have a happy holiday on Monday. Score: Dallas Stars 2 – Boston Bruins 5