Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled then offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. Today we are looking at the game between the Boston Bruins vs. Edmonton Oilers. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Boston Bruins vs. Edmonton Oilers
Time: 9:00 p.m Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: SN1, NESN
In tonights game the Boston Bruins (17-13-3) finish off their five game road trip with their lone stop of the season in Edmonton to face the Edmonton Oilers (18-11-2). This is the first of two meetings between the two clubs. The Oilers went 1-0-1 against the Bruins last season. Each team comes into this game playing some of their best hockey of the season so it should be a good game.
Bruins Having a Strong December
The Boston Bruins have been one of the NHL’s winningest teams this month, winning six of their eight games in December so far. They are now 9-4-0 with interim head coach Joe Sacco behind the bench. Currently 2-2-0 on this road trip they will be looking to end it on a high note against the Oilers after a come from behind victory against the other team that resides in Alberta, the Calgary Flames. There are two key areas that could go a long way in making it a happy plane ride home.
The first is Jeremy Swayman returning to the form of past seasons. He has won five of six in December but, he has allowed three or more goals in four of those games including an eight spot against the Winnipeg Jets. All of his individual numbers are worse than last season. He will be relied on tonight against the Oilers firepower. The second is improving the power play. The Bruins are converting at a measly 12.9%. Against an Edmonton penalty kill that is also struggling this game may be the game to score one.
Hyman Heating up For Oilers
After getting off to a slow start, and then missing some games with injury, Zach Hyman has started playing like everyone expected. Since returning from injury on December 5th against the Columbus Blue Jackets he has scored seven goals in six games. He might soon make Canada’s Four Nations Faceoff management team regret not putting him on the roster. Along with goal scoring leader Leon Draisaitl, and superstar Connor McDavid the Oilers offence is rounding into form.
Another good sign for Edmonton is their goaltending is starting to improve. In December they have only been giving up 2.43 goals against per game. This has brought their overall GA/GP down to 2.90 on the season. Both goalies have been preforming better. Stuart Skinner has won three games in five starts this month with a .906 save percentage . Meanwhile, Calvin Pickard has won both his starts helping the Oilers to a 5-2 record in December.
Prediction
It feels like this game boils down to whether or not the Bruins can slow down the Oilers offence. Edmonton hasn’t played since Monday where they lost a hard fought battle against the Florida Panthers. They should be rested and eager to get back into the win column. At 5-on-5, and both special teams the Oilers have the advantage. Boston will need their best game and/or Swayman to steal one. For Edmonton they just have to play their game and they should be able to get two points.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-1
Prop Bets of The Night
With Hyman on a scoring roll he seems like a good bet to find the back of the net again. He is +165 as an anytime goal scorer tonight. On the Bruins side of the ice David Pastrnak has scored 10 goals in 15 games against the Oilers. He is +155 to score. The spread is set at 1.5. Edmonton at -1.5 has odds of +132.
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Main Photo: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
The post NHL Predictions: Dec.19 Boston Bruins vs. Edmonton Oilers appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.