TD Garden is playing host an Eastern Conference matchup as the Boston Bruins welcome the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. Sportsnet will broadcast the game, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8.
Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins Odds
The Bruins are 41-23 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 7.6 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked third in the NHL so far this season, is an improvement compared to what the team did during the 2016-17 season (44-38). Out of its 64 regular season matches, 33 of them have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 23-11 SU at home this year.
Boston has converted on 21.1 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s good enough for 10th-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.0 percent of all penalties.
Boston, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over its last five outings home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for 11.6 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
Averaging 25.1 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (26-16-4) has been the best goalkeeper for the Bruins this season. If they, however, decide to rest him, the team might go with Anton Khudobin (15-10-10 record, .918 save percentage, 2.45 goals against average).
Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak will each lead the way for the Bruins. Marchand (66 points) has tallied 28 goals and 38 assists and has recorded two or more points 19 times this year. Pastrnak has 23 goals and 38 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 41 contests.
On the other bench, Philadelphia is 34-33 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 34 of its outings have gone over the total, while 30 have gone under and just two have pushed. Philadelphia’s 18-16 SU as the visiting team this season.
Philadelphia has converted on 20.2 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.3 percent of all penalties.
Philadelphia’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 2.9 per game over their last ten games. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Brian Elliott (26.3 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Philadelphia. Elliott has 22 wins, 19 losses, and seven OT losses to his credit, while registering a .908 save percentage and 2.72 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Flyers, the offense will be facilitated by Claude Giroux (23 goals, 56 assists) and Jakub Voracek (15 goals, 56 assists).
Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins Betting Picks
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Two of Philadelphia’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-6 overall in shootouts this season.
- The total has gone over in three of Boston’s last five games.
- Philadelphia’s attempted 31.7 shots per game overall this season (ranked 19th in the NHL), and 38.4 in its last five road games.
- Boston has scored 3.4 goals per game overall this season, but has raised that figure up to 5.0 per match up in its past four games (the team’s a perfect 0-0 SU during that span).
- The Bruins this season have recorded the ninth-most hits per game (23.8), but the team’s averaged 27.0 over their past five games as the home team.
