The Boston Bruins (27-13-6) play the first game of a two-game set against the Pittsburgh Penguins (31-14-3) Sunday with a 3 p.m. ET puck drop at PPG Paints Arena. Below, we analyze the Bruins-Penguins odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Bruins saw their six-game win streak come to a surprising halt when they lost at the Buffalo Sabres 6-4 in the finale of a three-game set.
It was yet another cautionary tale on why you never bet huge money line favorites straight up as Boston failed at -310. If you bet the B’s in the first two wins, you would still be in the red at -110 despite a 2-1 betting record.
The Penguins enter on a three-game win streak after sweeping the visiting New Jersey Devils in three straight while outscoring them 16-9.
The Bruins and Penguins last met April 1-3 in Boston, splitting a pair of games with the Pens outscoring the B’s 9-8.
Bruins at Penguins: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:45 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Bruins -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Penguins -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Bruins -1.5 (+225) | Penguins +1.5 (-275)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Bruins at Penguins: Projected starting goalies
Jeremy Swayman (5-1-0, 1.65 GAA, .943 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Tristan Jarry (20-8-3, 2.79 GAA, .908 SV%)
Swayman, who is confirmed to start, is being kept around in a three-goalie rotation of sorts. He enters with three straight wins and has two or fewer goals allowed in five of his six starts this season, emerging as the goalie of the future in Beantown.
Jarry was ice-cold to start the season, but he has picked up the pace significantly. In fact, he hasn’t lost back-to-back starts in regulation since Jan. 28-Feb. 6 in a two-game stretch on the road against the Bruins and New York Islanders.
“Jar Jar Wins” is 1-1-1 with a 2.60 GAA and .919 SV% in three starts against the B’s this season.
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Bruins at Penguins: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Penguins 3, Bruins 2
Money line (ML)
The PENGUINS (-105) have been getting great production out of Jarry lately, and they rank second in the NHL in goals per game (3.4). This offense will be a huge test for the rookie Swayman, especially on the road. Back the home side.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The Penguins +1.5 (-275) aren’t worth playing on the puck line as you need to risk almost three times your potential return, and there is no sense in doing that. If you like the Penguins, just take them straight up.
PASS.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 5.5 (+100) is even money and a value play based on the recent production of both backstops in this game. Swayman has yielded two or fewer goals in five of six, and Jarry has coughed up two or fewer goals in five of his past six appearances.
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