Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Every day, Last Word on Hockey provides insights and analysis to predict the outcome of the games on the NHL schedule. Today, we will examine the matchup between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Be sure to check out all of our NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season approaches the playoff race.
15-Year Veteran and Stanley Cup Champion Traded to the Florida Panthers
NHL Predictions
2024-25 Head-to-Head: Bruins 1-1 Lightning
Time: 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: NESN; ESPN+; SN1
The Bruins (28-28-8) travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning (37-21-4) at Amalie Arena in an enticing Saturday afternoon game. This matchup is the third of four matchups between this two Atlantic division foes, with the season series currently tied at 1-1. Both teams were active at the deadline, with the Bruins selling for the first time in decades, while the Lightning bolstered their roster for a Stanley Cup run.
A New Era in Boston
After Bruins Captain, Brad Marchand was dealt to the Florida Panthers on Friday afternoon, the Boston Bruins have officially entered a new era. With Marchand gone, there are officially zero Bruins left on the roster from the historic 2011 Stanley Cup win. The 36-year-old was not the only Bruin who departed this week. Trent Frederic, Justin Brazeau, Charlie Coyle, and Brandon Carlo were all dealt. The Bruins moves leaves them with just five players left from their record breaking season in 2022-23. Those players include some talented individuals in David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Pavel Zacha, and Jeremy Swayman.
As the B’s say goodbye to some franchise stalwarts, they welcome in some fresh faces. They acquired a total of eight players in their deadline deals. There are a handful of newly acquired players who are expected to be in the lineup versus the Bolts. Casey Mittelstadt, Marat Khusnutdinov, Jakub Lauko, and Henri Jokiharju are all expected to make their Bruins debut. These players will have some major shoes to fill and they hope to star their Bruins tenures with a strong performance on Saturday.
Their deadline moves prove that the Bruin shave entered a new phase and it seems as if they have kissed their playoff hopes goodbye. However, their new status as an organization should not change how hard the B’s play in each game. Now lead solely by David Pastrnak, the Bruins must remain competitive even if they continue to lose. Playing hard in these games can build good habits for next season. With a 60 minute effort on Saturday, the Bruins can start their new era on a positive note. Stealing two points from a division rival can boost locker room morale which could be lacking at this time.
Continue to Build Chemistry in Tampa
Although they were quiet on Friday, the Tampa Bay Lighting made a big splash in acquiring two very useful depth forwards. On Wednesday, the Lightning made a trade with the Seattle Kraken. They brought back Yanni Gourde as well as welcoming Oliver Bjorkstrand. This move is massive for the Lightning who play in a loaded Atlantic division.
In Saturday afternoon’s skirmish against the Bruins, the Bolts must continue building chemistry with their new additions. Although they got off to a hot start in Tampa’s 6-5 victory on Thursday night, there is always room for improvement. Bjorkstrand scored his as a Lightning, while Gourde registered an assist in his return. Moving forward, Tampa will have to consistently be on the same page. A solid two-way performance against the depleted Bruins will help tremendously in that department.
While all the chatter has been about their big trade, Tampa still has plenty of firepower. With the Bruins being very short staffed due to trade and injury, expect the Lightning’s stars to flourish. Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Jake Guentzel are having stellar seasons and if they continue this play against the Bruins, they should have no problem obtaining two points.
NHL Predictions
After a gut wrenching loss to Carolina on Thursday and an incredibly hard trade deadline, the Bruins may find themselves in a tough spot on Saturday. Playing against one of the league’s hottest teams after so much roster turnover could be disastrous. Between Tampa’s all-stars and their new arrivals, their firepower may be too much for Boston too overcome. The Lightning need a victory much more than Boston does so expect them to get the job done on Saturday afternoon.
Prediction: Lightning Win 4-1
Prop Bets of the Night:
Speaking of new additions, expect forward Casey Mittelstadt to play a big role in the Bruins lineup. The 26-year-old has offensive upside that the Bruins very much lack, they will rely on him to fill a much needed void. Despite being new to the team, Mittelstadt is listed at +550 to score in his Bruins debut. As for the Bolts, look for Jake Guentzel to continue his hot streak as he has five goals in his last two games. The forward is a +175 to find the back of the net. Tampa is a -280 favourite at home.
Main Photo Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
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