The Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins meet Sunday in NHL action at the PPG Paints Arena. Here’s a Penguins vs. Bruins Prediction. This article will include a Penguins vs. Bruins pick.
Boston Bruins Betting Preview
The Boston Bruins beat the Capitals and lost to the Predators, and they play the Kings next. The Bruins have split their last 10 games.
The Boston Bruins are averaging 3.32 goals per game and are scoring on 25.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Morgan Geekie leads Boston with 34 goals, David Pasternak has 52 assists and Viktor Arvidsson has 136 shots on goal. Defensively, the Boston Bruins are allowing 3.1 goals per game and are killing 77.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jeremy Swayman has allowed 113 goals on 1,192 shots faced, while Joonas Korpisalo has given up 70 goals on 653 shots.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the Sabres and Flyers, and they play the Hurricanes next. The Penguins have lost 3 straight games.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.34 goals per game and are scoring 25 percent of their power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 27 goals, Evgeni Malkin has 34 assists, and Bryan Rust has 140 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 2.82 goals per game and are killing 84.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Arturs Silovs has allowed 79 goals on 778 shots faced, while Tristan Jarry has given up 36 goals on 396 shots.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The home team has won each of the Bruins’ last 13 games.
- The Bruins have lost each of their last six road games.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last six games after coming off overtime.
- The Bruins have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 road games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Penguins have won the first period in each of their last six games after coming off overtime.
Why the Boston Bruins will win
- The Bruins have won each of their last four games as underdogs against the Penguins.
- The Penguins have lost five of their last six games as favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Bruins have covered the puck line in each of their last eight day games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven games as favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Bruins have won the third period in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Twelve of the Bruins’ last 13 road games following a home win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Nine of the Penguins’ last 10 games as home favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Bruins’ last 11 games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last seven games as home favorites following a shootout loss.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Sidney Crosby has recorded an assist in each of his last seven appearances with the Penguins as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Sidney Crosby has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances with the Penguins as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Anthony Mantha has recorded six hits against the Bruins this season—the most against any opponent.
Boston Bruins Player Prop Facts
- David Pastrnak has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances after playing the previous day.
- Charlie McAvoy has recorded at least one assist in eight of the Bruins’ last nine games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- Casey Mittelstadt has recorded two hits against the Penguins this season—the most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 2nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.70%).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins are one of five teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
- The Boston Bruins rank 5th in the league in power play percentage this season (25.27%).
- The Boston Bruins rank 31st in the league for power play goals against this season (51).
Penguins vs Bruins Prediction
The Penguins are having issues finding easy offense lately and they’re on the end of a back-to-back. The Bruins are simply playing the better hockey and have won 8 of the last 10 games against the Penguins. Of course, one of those wins came this week. Without Crosby, the Penguins have been riding the struggle bus all week. We’re getting a cheap price. I have to lean toward the team in better form. Give me the Bruins.