In this article we will formulate a Blackhawks vs Bruins prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 17th at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks are 19-21-7 this season after they lost to Calgary by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Chicago led 1-0 in the first period, but they allowed two goals in the first and one in the third for the low scoring loss. The Blackhawks recorded 23 shots on goal, won 54.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Chicago got their lone goal from Foligno, while Knight stopped 20 out of 22 shots, which was a .909 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Chicago lost to the Oilers by a score of 4-1, but did beat the Predators by a score of 3-0 before that. The Blackhawks have lost three of their last four games and they are currently seventh in the Central standings with 45 points. Chicago has scored 2.74 goals per game and they have allowed 3.11 goals against per game, while also going 22.2% on the power play and 85.0% on the penalty kill this season. Connor Bedard has led Chicago with 19 goals and 27 assists, while Tyler Bertuzzi has added 24 goals and 13 assists. The projected starting goalie for Chicago is Spencer Knight, who is 13-13-6 with a 2.61 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this season.
Boston Bruins Betting Preview
The Boston Bruins are 27-19-2 this year after they defeated Seattle by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Boston had their lead cut to 3-2 in the second period, but they scored an empty net goal in the third to seal the win. The Bruins were out shot by a total of 28-24, won 53.2% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Boston got goals from Arvidsson, Kastelic, Khusnutdinov, and Pastrnak, while Swayman stopped 26 out of 28 shots, which was a .929 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Boston defeated the Red Wings by a score of 3-0 and the Penguins by a score of 1-0. The Bruins have won five games in a row and they are currently fifth in the Atlantic standings with 56 points. Boston has scored 3.27 goals per game and they have allowed 3.06 goals against per game, while also going 24.6% on the power play and 78.8% on the penalty kill this season. David Pastrnak has led Boston with 20 goals and 37 assists, while Morgan Geekie has added 25 goals and 17 assists. The projected starting goalie for Boston is Jeremy Swayman, who is 19-11-2 with a 2.77 goals against average and a .906 save percentage this year.
Why the Boston Bruins will win
- The Bruins have won 11 of their last 12 games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Blackhawks have lost each of their last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Bruins have covered the puck line in 17 of their last 18 games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Bruins have won the third period in nine of their last 10 road games when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Bruins’ last eight road games following a home win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Six of the Blackhawks’ last seven home games against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Blackhawks’ last eight home games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Bruins’ last six games as favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Andre Burakovsky has recorded an assist in each of his last three home appearances against the Bruins.
Boston Bruins Player Prop Facts
- Morgan Geekie has scored at least one goal in five of the Bruins’ last six games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
- David Pastrnak has recorded at least one assist in each of the Bruins’ last seven games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
Blackhawks vs Bruins Prediction
Boston comes into this contest as one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last few weeks and they have allowed two goals or fewer in five straight. The Bruins are 10-11-1 on the road this year, while the Blackhawks are 10-11-4 at home. Chicago has lost three of their last four and they have scored a total of six goals in their last four games. The Blackhawks are dealing with a few injuries and they are scoring just 2.74 goals per game this year, so I like Boston to win by at least two goals in this one.