The Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins face off for crucial points. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here with Last Word On Hockey. Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for games around the NHL. In tonight’s matchup, the Penguins and Bruins look to gain valuable points in a close playoff race.
NHL Predictions featuring the Boston Bruins and the Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins Story
The Penguins come into this game off a 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in the shootout. Although the Penguins gained a valuable point in the loss, it exacerbated a consistent point of weakness for Pittsburgh. The team is 1-9 this season when the game goes to the shootout. It is important for Pittsburgh to get every point they can, especially in a tight playoff race. Losses like these may come back to haunt the Penguins later in the season. The team is on a three-game losing streak coming into this game as well.
There were some bright spots in the game, however. Rickard Rakell stepped up in the absence of both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. He scored a goal and an assist, and now has 12 goals and 27 points in 41 games this season. Erik Karlsson once again was all over this game. Scoring a goal in the second period, Karlsson generated a ton of chances for Pittsburgh in this game. Egor Chinakhov played well, even without Malkin in the lineup. He recorded a pair of assists, bringing his production to 10 goals and 16 points in 24 games with Pittsburgh this season.
In net, expect Arturs Silovs to get the start with Stuart Skinner playing yesterday. Silovs is 13-8-8 this season with a .900 save percentage.
Although both teams in this game or on the second half of the back-to-back, it’s still always a good idea to check official lineups before locking in any predictions.
Bruins Story
Boston comes into this game off a 3-1 win over the Washington Capitals. With the win, the Bruins are 5-2-3 in their last 10 games. With a total record of 35-22-5, Boston sits in the second wildcard spot, a couple of points out of an Atlantic Division spot, and also a couple of points from falling out of the playoff picture. This is a big game for the Bruins, who have quickly retooled and look to get back into the playoffs this season after selecting 7th overall in last year’s draft. Similar to the Penguins, Boston did not make much of a splash at the deadline, opting to move out a sixth-round pick for Lukas Reichel. He will likely start in the AHL with the Providence Bruins.
Elias Lindholm had a good game yesterday against the Capitals, scoring a goal and an assist. He has 12 goals and 40 points in 49 games. David Pastrnak produced as well, scoring two assists. He leads Boston in scoring with 22 goals and 74 points in 57 games. The Bruins’ top defenceman, Charlie McAvoy, also played a good game. Scoring an assist against Washington, McAvoy has six goals and 44 points in 50 games this season.
In net, expect Joonas Korpisalo to start, following Jeremy Swayman’s game yesterday. Korpisalo is 11-9-2 this season with a .893 save percentage.
Prediction
The Penguins have struggled to score against the Bruins this season, scoring just one goal in their last two meetings. Missing both Crosby and Malkin, expect this to continue and for Boston to get the victory.
Prediction: Bruins win 3-1
Prop Bet of the Night
Expect another low-scoring game between these two teams, where a popular prop bet of goals under five with odds of +235 is a good bet.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.