The Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins meet at TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday. The Blackhawks will be completing a back-to-back after opening the season Tuesday on the road against Pittsburgh, while Boston will be opening its season at home. Both squads are eager to pick up a victory on Wednesday.. The Blackhawks, known for their gritty play, will be looking to silence the Bruins’ home crowd, while Boston aims to defend their turf and set the tone for the season ahead. Boston will hold the advantage in this game as the Bruins will be playing at home while Chicago will be playing its second straight game on the road in as many days.

 Chicago Blackhawks 2023-24: A Rebuild Around Bedard

The Chicago Blackhawks are in the midst of a rebuild, with the spotlight on first overall pick 18-year-old Connor Bedard. Last season, the team’s offense was anemic, finishing at the bottom in goals per 60 minutes and other key metrics. Despite adding Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno, Corey Perry, and Ryan Donato to bolster the offense, the Blackhawks still have a steep hill to climb. Their power play was lackluster, converting at just 16.4%. While Bedard brings much-needed hype and talent, immediate offensive turnaround is unlikely.

On the defensive end, the situation isn’t much brighter. Aside from Seth Jones, the blue line lacks depth and struggled last season in high-danger chances against per 60 minutes, among other metrics. The goaltending duo of Petr Mrazek and Arvid Soderblom doesn’t inspire confidence either, with Mrazek posting a dismal 10-22-3 record last season. The team allowed 301 goals, tying for the fifth-most in the league. Given these factors, the Blackhawks are likely to find themselves at the bottom of the division again, despite the promise of their young star, Bedard. 

Chicago Blackhawks Team Facts

• The Blackhawks have lost 14 of their last 16 games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Blackhawks have covered the puck line in six of their last seven games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The favorites have won the third period in four of the Blackhawks’ last five games at TD Garden.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last 10 Wednesday games.

Bruins 2023-24: A New Ice Age Dawns in Boston

After a historic 2022-23 season that ended in playoff disappointment, the Boston Bruins are back with significant changes. The team waved goodbye to legends like Patrice Bergeron and also lost key players such as Taylor Hall and Tyler Bertuzzi. Despite these exits, the Bruins still boast formidable scorers in David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. However, the absence of top centers puts the middle of the ice in question. Offensively, expect the Bruins to be a middle-of-the-pack team, a step back from being the second-best offensive squad last season.

On the defensive end, the Bruins were a fortress last season, allowing only 2.12 goals per game. Although they lost Connor Clifton and Dmitry Orlov, the addition of veteran Kevin Shattenkirk keeps the blue line solid. Goaltending remains a strong suit, with Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman between the pipes. While it’s unlikely they’ll top defensive charts again, they’ll be no pushovers. Charlie McAvoy is the player to watch, potentially stepping into a leadership role. In a fiercely competitive Atlantic Division, the Bruins are still a playoff team, thanks largely to their netminders.

Boston Bruins Team Facts

• The Bruins have won each of their last seven home openers.
• The road team has covered the puck line in five of the Bruins’ last six games.
• The Bruins have won the third period in five of their last six home games against Central Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Bruins’ last 11 Wednesday games.

David’s Pick: Boston Bruins -1.5

When it comes to making a game-winning pick between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins, the Bruins skate away with the edge. The Blackhawks are in a rebuilding phase, and despite the arrival of Connor Bedard, their offense and defense are still not up to par. Last season’s stats don’t lie: a dismal power play conversion at 16.4% and a goaltending duo that needs much improvement. On the flip side, the Bruins are a well-oiled machine, even after saying farewell to some stars. Their offensive firepower may have dimmed, but with snipers like David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand, they can still light the lamp. Defensively, they’re a brick wall. Last season, they allowed a stingy 2.12 goals per game, and with Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark in net, they’re tough to beat. Charlie McAvoy is also stepping up, filling the skates of departed veterans. In a head-to-head matchup, the Bruins’ experience and defensive prowess will shut down the Blackhawks’ fledgling offense. That makes my pick, the Boston Bruins, who may just open the season with a shutout.