Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and the Chicago Blackhawks will do battle against Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and the Boston Bruins at TD Garden in an Original Six showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 12, and it’s being televised live on NBC Sports Network.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins Odds
Boston enters the matchup as the heavy favorite with a -205 moneyline. The line for the Blackhawks now stands at +175 and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -130 over, +110 under.
Boston is 31-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Atlantic Division so far this season, is a slide from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (50-32). Through 56 regular season outings, 32 of the team’s games have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just three have pushed. This year, the team’s 20-10 SU at home.
The Bruins have converted on 26.4 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.0 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 26.2 saves per game with a .922 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (17-13-4) has been the best option in goal for the Bruins this season. If the Bruins decide to give him a breather, however, head coach Bruce Cassidy could roll with Jaroslav Halak (14-15-15 record, .921 save percentage, 2.44 goals against average).
Chicago has lost 3.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 23-33 straight up (SU). Through 56 regular season outings, 35 of its games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under the total and just three have pushed. As the visiting team, the Blackhawks are 11-17 SU so far.
The Blackhawks have converted on 21.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully killed off 73.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Cam Ward (29.8 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago. Ward has 11 wins, 13 losses, and four OT losses to his credit, while registering a .895 save percentage and 3.67 goals against average this year.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins Betting Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Five of Chicago’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-1 in those games.
- The Blackhawks are 7-14 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 16-25 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- Boston is 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Chicago is 1-1 in shootouts.
- Boston may have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 14-12 in games decided by one goal, while Chicago is 11-16 in such games.
- The over has hit in each of Chicago’s last five games.
- Chicago skaters have averaged 9.0 giveaways over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 8.8 giveaways per game (the eighth-fewest in the NHL).
- Boston has averaged 10.2 giveaways per game (ranked 17th in the league).
- The Bruins this season have tallied the ninth-most hits in the NHL (23.5 per game).
