Hockey fans tend to fall into two different categories when talking about the style of play that they enjoy. You have fans that love hard-hitting, defensive hockey where goals are at a premium, while others prefer wide-open games that turn into a shootout. If you fall into the latter category, then you may want to tune into the prime-time game on Thursday night between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the NHL Odds favorite Boston Bruins. Not only are these two teams among the best in the Eastern Conference right now, they also always seem to serve up a lot of goals when they go head to head.
There is little to choose between these two, as they have split their last 6 meetings, combining for 45 goals in the process. It has been home ice that has held sway when these two meet, with the home team coming out on top in all 6 of those previous meetings. This is what looks to be a coin flip type of game, although given how things have gone in recent meetings, it may well be the Bruins, favorites to win at -125, who has the slight edge on home ice.
They are among the highest scorers in the NHL with 3.2 GPG, and are 2nd on defense, giving up just 2.5 GPG. As good as they are in their own end, they always seem to have a tough time slowing down the Penguins and have surrendered 12 goals in the last 3 meetings. That said, Boston has won each of the last 4 home games that they have played against Pittsburgh. Overall, they are 20-7-4 on home ice this season.
Game Info, NHL Odds & Pick: Penguins vs. Bruins
Evgeni Malkin, King of 2018. January: NHL First Star of the Month February: NHL Second Star of the Month Read more: https://t.co/HZYpnHKKVI pic.twitter.com/VmWoGu8Ppm
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) 1 de marzo de 2018
- When: Thursday, March 1 at 7 PM EST
- Where: TD Garden, Boston
- TV: NBCSN
- Radio: 105.9 FM (Pittsburgh) / 98.5 FM (Boston)
- NHL Odds: Boston Bruins -1.5 (Over/Under at 6 goals)
Team Records
- All: Pittsburgh Penguins 36-24-4 / Boston Bruins 38-15-8
- Home: Pittsburgh Penguins 23-8-1 / Boston Bruins 20-7-4
- Away: Pittsburgh Penguins 13-16-3 / Boston Bruins 18-8-4
- ATS: Pittsburgh Penguins 31-33 / Boston Bruins 28-33
- Over/Under: Pittsburgh Penguins 34-28-2 / Boston Bruins 28-32-1
Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Games)
- Record: Pittsburgh Penguins 3-6-1 / Boston Bruins 7-1-2
- Score: Pittsburgh Penguins 2.60 / Boston Bruins 3.60
- Shots: Pittsburgh Penguins 32.70 / Boston Bruins 33.00
- Power Play Goals: Pittsburgh Penguins 7 / Boston Bruins 3
- Number of Power Plays: Pittsburgh Penguins 30 / Boston Bruins 31
- Power Play Percentage: Pittsburgh Penguins 23.33 / Boston Bruins 9.68
- Penalty Kill Percentage: Pittsburgh Penguins 90.32 / Boston Bruins 76.67
Why bet on the Pittsburgh Penguins?
One of the best divisional races going on right now is in the Metropolitan Division, where just 5 points separate 1st from 4th. The defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins are in the thick of it in 3rd but have a major injury concern to deal with right now. They will have goalie Matt Murray sidelined for a little while, as he is suffering from a concussion received after taking a puck to the helmet. The Penguins have not been particularly solid in their defensive end this season, so losing their starter for an indeterminate amount of time may not be the best news. Where they have been good is on offense, scoring 3.2 GPG and leading the league in the Power Play. The Penguins are a healthy 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, although the road has not been particularly kind to them, as they are currently 3 games below .500 there.Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 3.25
- Shots: 34.25
- PP/PK Percentage: 26.96
- Goals: 2.97
- Shots: 31.16
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.62
Why bet on the Boston Bruins?
With 84 points on the season, the Boston Bruins would be sitting comfortably atop the Metropolitan, if they played in that division. As it is, they find themselves in 3rd in the Atlantic, chasing down the Lightning and Leafs, both of whom are having spectacular seasons. The Bruins have excelled this season because they have been able to establish a great balance between offense and defense.
They are among the highest scorers in the NHL with 3.2 GPG, and are 2nd on defense, giving up just 2.5 GPG. As good as they are in their own end, they always seem to have a tough time slowing down the Penguins and have surrendered 12 goals in the last 3 meetings. That said, Boston has won each of the last 4 home games that they have played against Pittsburgh. Overall, they are 20-7-4 on home ice this season.
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 3.23
- Shots: 32.25
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.58
- Goals: 2.51
- Shots: 29.03
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.68
Latest NHL Betting Trends
- Pittsburgh is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
- Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 games
- Boston is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
- Boston is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston’s last 10 games
