Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are set to do battle against Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, and the Boston Bruins at TD Garden for an Eastern Conference showdown. New England Sports Network will broadcast the matchup, and the opening face-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 23.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins Odds
Offering a -115 moneyline, Boston heads into the matchup as the narrow favorite. The line for the Penguins sits at -105 and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Boston is 11-10 straight up (SU) and has recorded -2.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team managed during the 2017-18 season campaign. Out of its 21 regular season matches, 14 of them have gone under the total, while six have gone over and just one has pushed. Thus far, the team is 7-2 SU at home.
The Bruins have been able to convert on 29.4 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s good enough for fifth-best in the league. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 17th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.1 percent of all penalties.
With a .935 save percentage and 27.8 saves per game, Jaroslav Halak (seven wins, six losses, and two OT losses) has been the principal goalkeeper for Boston this season. If the Bruins, however, choose to give him the evening off, Boston may roll with Tuukka Rask (4-6-6 record, .909 save percentage, 2.80 goals against average).
On the other bench, Pittsburgh is 8-12 straight up (SU) and has lost 12.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of eight of its matches have gone over the total, while an additional eight have gone under the total and four have pushed. As a road team, the Penguins are 4-5 SU so far.
The Penguins have scored on 24.6 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 10th overall and it’s successfully defended 81.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Casey DeSmith (2.39 goals against average and .924 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Pittsburgh. DeSmith is averaging 23.5 saves per game and has four wins, nine losses, and three OT losses to his credit.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes
The under has hit in four of Boston’s last five outings.
After averaging 33.7 shot attempts as a team last season (the fourth-most in the league), Pittsburgh’s attempted 32.9 shots per contest overall this season, and 34.8 in its last five road outings.
Over Pittsburgh’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-4 in those games).
Pittsburgh skaters have given out the most hits in the league (31.3 per game).
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