Two teams that split their season series one win each a year ago, the Los Angeles Kings and the Boston Bruins clash at TD Garden. The opening face-off is at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 9, and you can catch this East-West matchup live on New England Sports Network.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Boston Bruins Odds
Moneyline and Over/Under (O/U) odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
The Bruins are 29-25 straight up (SU) and have disappointed moneyline bettors to the tune of -8.3 units so far. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team managed during the 2017-18 season campaign. Of the team’s 54 regular season outings, 31 have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team is 18-10 SU at home this season.
Boston comes into the matchup with the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 27.1 percent of their extra-man chances this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Beantown has been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, 4.0 per game over its last five games total, and 3.8 per game over its last five at home. The team has been forced to stave off opposition power plays for just 8.4 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 26.3 saves per game with a .924 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (16-13-4) has been the best option in goal for the Bruins this year. If they choose to rest him, however, Boston could roll with Jaroslav Halak (13-15-15 record, .918 save percentage, 2.50 goals against average).
The Bruins will continue to look for offensive production from David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. Pastrnak (65 points) has tallied 31 goals and 34 assists and has recorded two or more points on 18 different occasions this year. Marchand has 19 goals and 42 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 33 games.
Los Angeles has lost 8.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 23-31 straight up (SU). Through 54 regular season contests, 29 of its games have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just one has pushed. As an away team, Los Angeles is 11-17 SU so far.
Los Angeles has converted on just 15.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 28th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Los Angeles’ players have been whistled for penalties only 3.3 times per game this season, and 4.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Quick (.904 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Los Angeles. Quick is averaging 27.0 saves per game and has 11 wins, 16 losses, and three OT losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive push for the visiting Kings will be Anze Kopitar, who has 16 goals and 24 assists this season.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Boston Bruins Betting Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The Kings are 8-11 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 17-23 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes.
- Boston is 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Los Angeles is 2-1 in shootouts.
- One of the best at disrupting opposing puckhandlers, Boston is ranked 4th in the NHL this season with 9.0 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended higher lately, as it has managed 10.1 takeaways over its last 10 games and 11.0 takeaways over its last five.
- Los Angeles has scored 2.4 goals per game overall this season, but has upped that figure to 4.0 per match up over the team’s three-game winning streak.
- Los Angeles is ranked 31st in the NHL this season with 4.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher, as the team has forced 6.0 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.6 takeaways over its last five.
