Bruins vs. Penguins Prediction
The Boston Bruins have overcome injuries to key players and have won their last three games entering tonight’s showdown at the Pittsburgh Penguins. Can Boston record another victory tonight as the road underdogs?
Game Snapshot
5 Boston Bruins at 6 Pittsburgh Penguins
Friday, December 14, 2018
PPG Paints Arena at 7:05PM ET
TV: ESPN+
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Penguins are a -148 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Bruins are a +128 underdog, while the total is set at 6 goals. As of Friday morning, 72 percent of public bets are siding with host Pittsburgh. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Bruins secure third straight win
Boston overcame a 2-0 deficit through one period Tuesday night at home to secure a 4-3 victory over the Coyotes. The Bruins (17-10-4) scored all four of their goals in a stretch of 4:50 in the second period to grab a 4-2 advantage. Arizona scored later in the second period to cut it to a one-goal game, but it was unable to find the equalizer. Danton Heinen scored the first Bruins goal in the second, while David Pastrnak tied at 2-2 with his 21st goal of the season. Brad Marchand gave Boston the lead a couple minutes later, while a second goal by Marchand shortly thereafter made it a 4-2 game. David Krejci recorded three assists, while Pastrnak added two assists to go with his goal. Tuukka Rask made 30 saves on 33 shots in the winning effort.
Penguins doubled up at Blackhawks
Pittsburgh fell by a count of 6-3 Wednesday night at Chicago to drop to 13-11-6 on the season. The first period ended with the Penguins trailing 2-1 as Bryan Rust scored at the 1:20 mark to cut the visitors’ deficit to 2-1. Rust scored again in the second period to tie it at 2-2, while the Blackhawks took the lead back at 3-2 later in the second. Pittsburgh managed to tie it again before the second period was overas Rust completed his hat trick. Over the final 20 minutes, Chicago scored three unanswered goals to clinch the win. Casey DeSmith registered 23 saves on 27 shots in the defeat.
NHL Betting Trends
Boston
The road team is 0-8 in the last eight meetings. The under is 11-3-1 in the last 15 Bruins games against the Eastern Conference.
Pittsburgh
The Penguins are 0-4 in their last four games following a loss by three or more goals. The under is 2-0-2 in the last four Pittsburgh games on Fridays.
Prediction:
While the home team has dominated this series lately, I see positives on taking the Bruins here. Pittsburgh will get Matt Murray back in goal tonight after he missed time with an injury, but he was having a dismal season and might be dealing with a lot of confidence issues. Boston has been hot as of late and Rask should be in goal for this one. I say go with the Bruins here.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: BOSTON BRUINS +128