The Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins meet Thursday in NHL action from the TD Garden. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins prediction.
Chicago Blackhawks Recap
The Chicago Blackhawks come into this game looking to bounce back after starting the year with a 3-2 loss at the hands of the defending champion Florida Panthers on the road to start the year 0-1. After this game, the Blackhawks will head home for a matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.
Blackhawks Looking To Rebound From Narrow Loss
Frank Nazar opened the scoring for the Blackhawks just after the midway point of the opening period, but Chicago’s lead would last all of 1:03 before Florida tied the game at one and took a 2-1 lead just 3:02 after that. Teuvo Teravainen would tie the game at two at the 1:09 mark of the second period with the lone goal of the middle frame, but the Panthers would take the lead for good just before the midway point of the final period, giving Chicago a hard fought L to start the year. Spencer Knight took the loss after allowing 3 goals on 37 shots in the losing effort to start the year 0-1.
Why the Chicago Blackhawks will win
- The Bruins have lost each of their last four games as favorites.
- The underdogs have won four of the Bruins’ last five games.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in 11 of the Bruins’ last 12 games at TD Garden.
- The Bruins have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as favorites following a road win.
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Frank Nazar has scored a goal in each of the Blackhawks’ last four games.
- Tyler Bertuzzi has recorded at least one point in each of the Blackhawks’ last six games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Matt Grzelcyk has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six road appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
Boston Bruins Recap
The Boston Bruins come into this game looking to add on to their season-opening 3-1 win over the Washington Capitals last time out to start the year 1-0. After this game, the Bruins will take on the Buffalo Sabres at home.
Bruins Looking To Build On Strong Start On Second Half Of A Back-To-Back
The game would remain scoreless through the first 20 minutes and the first half of the second period, but David Pastrnak would give Boston the lead with just under eight minutes to go in the middle period. Washington would tie the game at one just over seven minutes into the third period, but the Bruins would restore their lead just 38 seconds later thanks to Elias Lindholm. Morgan Geekie added an empty-netter with just under a minute to go to give the Bruins some insurance and to secure the W. Jeremy Swayman got the win after stopping 35 of 36 shots faced in the winning effort to improve to 1-0 on the year.
Why the Boston Bruins will win
- The Bruins have won each of their last nine home openers.
- The Blackhawks have lost 17 of their last 18 Thursday road games.
- The Bruins have covered the puck line in each of their last four home openers.
Boston Bruins Player Prop Facts
- Morgan Geekie has scored a goal in each of the Bruins’ last seven games.
- Morgan Geekie has recorded at least one point in each of the Bruins’ last 12 games.
- David Pastrnak has recorded at least one assist in each of the Bruins’ last eight games.
- David Pastrnak has scored the first goal in three of the Bruins’ last four night games.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Bruins’ last eight home games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Five of the Blackhawks’ last six games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Eight of the last nine Thursday night games between teams from different conferences have gone OVER the total goals line.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins Prediction
I’m going to take a shot on Chicago here. Chicago was competitive against Florida in their opener and almost knocked off the defending champs, and now get to face a Bruins team on a back-to-back that didn’t fare all that well as a home favorite to close out last season, losing 6 in a row as home favorites. One win isn’t going to convince me that the Bruins are a good hockey team all of a sudden, especially on a back-to-back. Give me Chicago.