Two teams squaring off for the second time this season, the Detroit Red Wings and the Boston Bruins collide at TD Garden in an Original Six showdown. Sportsnet will air the matchup, which gets going at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 23.
Detroit Red Wings at Boston Bruins Odds
The Bruins are 18-15 straight up (SU) and have recorded -1.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Atlantic Division so far this season, hasn’t moved much from what the team produced during the 2016-17 season (44-38). Of its 33 regular season matches, 18 have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and none have pushed. This year, the team’s 11-8 SU at home.
Boston has converted on 20.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.8 percent of all penalties.
Boston, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 5.8 per game over its last five matchups home outings. The team’s had to defend opposition power plays for 18.8 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
Averaging 24.7 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (10-12-3) has been the top option in goal for the Bruins this year. If head coach Bruce Cassidy decides to give him a rest, however, the Bruins may turn to Anton Khudobin (8-5-5 record, .923 save percentage, 2.45 goals against average).
David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand will each spearhead the attack for the Bruins. Pastrnak (31 points) has tallied 15 goals and 16 assists and has recorded two or more points eight times this year. Marchand has 14 goals and 15 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 19 games.
Detroit is 13-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 18 of its contests have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and none have pushed. As the away team so far, Detroit is 7-9 SU.
Detroit has scored on 22.6 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 18th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Detroit’s players have been called for penalties 4.1 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to kill penalties just 8.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (.907 save percentage and 2.88 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Detroit. Howard is averaging 25.4 saves per game and has 10 wins, 18 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit.
For the visiting Red Wings, the offense will run through Dylan Larkin (five goals, 24 assists) and Anthony Mantha (13 goals, 11 assists).
Detroit Red Wings vs. Boston Bruins Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Detroit has managed 31.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Boston is averaging 36.6 shots per game over its last five home outings.
The Red Wings are 3-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 7-15 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
Boston is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Detroit is 2-1 in shootouts.
Boston skaters have created 13.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 9.9 takeaways per game (ranked 6th in the league).
Detroit is ranked 24th in the league with 6.3 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower recently, however, as the team has created 5.0 takeaways over its last 10 games and 4.8 takeaways over its last five.
Boston might hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 9-6 in games decided by one goal, while Detroit is just 3-11 in such games.
