Two teams that split their season series 1-1 last year, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins meet at TD Garden for an Original Six matchup. NBC Sports Chicago will air the game, and the opening face-off takes place at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 10.
Chicago Blackhawks at Boston Bruins Odds
Netting moneyline bettors 8.6 units, the Bruins are 42-23 straight up (SU) overall this year. That win percentage, ranked third in the NHL so far in this young season, is an improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2016-17 season (44-38). Among its 65 games this season, 30 have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just one has pushed. This season, the team is 24-11 SU at home.
Boston has converted on 20.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated seventh overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Beantown has been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 4.8 per game over its last five home outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays for 11.6 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
Boasting a .920 save percentage and 25.3 saves per game, Tuukka Rask (27-16-4) has been the top option in goal for the Bruins this season. If the Bruins choose to rest him, however, it might go with Anton Khudobin (15-10-10 record, .918 save percentage, 2.45 goals against average).
Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak will both be focal points for the Bruins. Marchand (67 points) is up to 29 goals and 38 assists and has recorded multiple points 20 times this year. Pastrnak has 23 goals and 40 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 42 contests.
On the other side of the rink, Chicago is 29-39 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 68 regular season matches, 36 of its games have gone under the total, while 29 have gone over and just three have pushed. As the visiting team, Chicago is 13-21 SU.
Chicago has converted on just 15.6 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 15th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago’s skaters have been penalized only 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 2.1 per game over their past ten outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 4.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (.929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Chicago. Crawford is averaging 27.9 saves per game and owns a 16-12-2 record.
Patrick Kane (24 goals, 39 assists) has been one of the most vital playmakers on offense for the visiting Blackhawks.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins Betting Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Chicago has managed 32.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Boston is averaging 36.8 shots per game over its last five home outings.
The Blackhawks are 5-9 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Bruins are 20-7 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
Boston (3-2 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Chicago has only participated in two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
Boston skaters have managed 8.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 8.6 takeaways per game (ranked 7th overall).
Chicago is ranked 17th in the NHL with 7.2 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower, however, as the team has created 6.5 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.4 takeaways over its last five.
Boston could hold the upper hand if it’s a close one late. The team’s 19-10 in games decided by one goal, while Chicago is 10-16 in such games.
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