The Pittsburgh Penguins (29-12-5) and Boston Bruins (27-9-12) tangle at TD Garden at 7 p.m. ET Thursday. We analyze the Penguins-Bruins sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.
Penguins at Bruins: Projected starting goalies
Matt Murray vs. Jaroslav Halak
Murray is riding a three-game winning streak. He is 13-6-4 on the season with a .896 save percentage and 2.91 goals against average, but may finally be starting to round back into form after losing playing time to backup Tristan Jarry.
Starter Tuukka Rask was knocked out of Tuesday’s start at the Columbus Blue Jackets in the opening minutes of the first period after a violent collision with Emil Bemstrom. Head coach Bruce Cassidy normally likes to rotate his goaltenders, so Halak was likely to make this start anyway. Halak allowed three goals on 27 shots in the loss, playing 58:48, so it’s uncertain if Cassidy turns to Rask if he is cleared.
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Penguins at Bruins: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:25 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Penguins 4, Bruins 2
Moneyline (ML)
The PENGUINS (+115) are a solid play on the road. Pittsburgh has won five straight on the road and 18 of its last 24 games overall. The Bruins (-139) have managed wins in just three of the past 10 games at home, and they’re 1-4 in the past five against Metropolitan Division foes.
New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered for the Penguins to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout would profit $11.50 if they do so.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The Penguins (+1.5, -239) should be avoided. If you want insurance, they’re not worth playing, as they’ll cost you nearly two and a half times your return on investment. The Bruins (-1.5, +195) are a nice play at double money if you’re feeling the home side. I’m not, though. AVOID.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 5.5 (-134) has cashed in four in a row for the Pens, and four of the past five on the road. The Over is also 5-0 in Pittsburgh’s past five against teams with a winning overall mark, too. The Over is 3-1-1 in Boston’s past five games overall while going 10-2 in the past 12 meetings in this series and 5-1 in the previous six battles at TD Garden.
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