Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Every day, Last Word on Hockey provides insights and analysis to predict the outcome of the games on the NHL schedule. Today, we will examine the matchup between the Boston Bruins and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Be sure to check out all of our NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season moves along.
NHL Predictions
Boston Bruins vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Bruins 0-1 Penguins
Time: 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: ABC; ESPN+
The Bruins (27-25-8) will head to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins (24-28-9) at PPG Paints Arena. Saturday afternoons matchup will be the second of three meetings between these two eastern conference clubs with Pittsburgh leading the season series 1-0. The Penguins beat the Bruins in Boston 2-1 on November 29th. Both squads are not the powerhouses they once were but they look to stay competitive in the Eastern conference and earn a big two points.
Keep Pasta’s Streak Alive and Hope Roster Moves Help
Although the Bruins are currently on a five game losing streak, their superstar forward, David Pastrnak has been playing the best hockey of his career. Pastrnak enters Saturday’s action on an incredible 16 game point streak. During this remarkable stretch, ‘Pasta’ has 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points, which is just under a two point per game pace. He has 31 goals and 42 assists for 73 points in 60 games, which has him tied with Kyle Connor and Mitch Marner for fifth in league scoring.
Boston is wasting their best player’s stellar play as they slowly fall out of playoff contention. The B’s now sit at 11th place in the East with 62 points and are four points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets, who currently control the final wildcard spot. The Bruins need to end this losing streak for the sake of their season, as well as their superstar winger’s mental state.
On Friday, Boston made some roster moves, assigning three players to Providence while recalling three others. They sent down Oliver Wahlstrom, Riley Tufte, and Michael Callahan to the baby Bruins. The three making their way to the big club are Georgii Merkulov, Jeffery Viel, and Ian Mitchell. The three have played a combined four games with the main club this season. Merkulov is the headliner as the B’s hope he can provide some much-needed secondary scoring. In 47 games with Providence, the 24-year-old has 13 goals and 31 assists for 44 points. Viel provides toughness and grit to the lineup while Mitchell hopes to help a depleted back end. With the help of the new additions, Pastrnak and the Bruins need to leave Pennsylvania with two points.
Penguins Need to Lock in Defensively
The Penguins are coming off of a thriller, as they beat the Flyers 5-4 after trailing 3-0. A win of that magnitude could provide the Pens with some much needed momentum moving forward. They currently sit at 15th in the East with 57 points, nine points out of a playoff spot. They will need to go on a remarkable run in order to make the postseason.
In order to make a playoff push, the Penguins must pick up two points against the Bruins. They cannot do so unless they improve defensively and in net. They have allowed four or more goals in each of their last four games, Pastrnak will punish that type of play one way or another. Lead by veterans Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson, the Pittsburgh D-core has allowed an average of 30 shots through their last four games. Goaltenders Alex Nedeljkovic and Joel Blomqvist have not been good enough to sustain that amount pressure.
Even if they continue to struggle in their own end, Sidney Crosby and the Penguins’ offence are coming off a terrific performance. The Bruins will have either a struggling Jeremy Swayman in net or Joonas Korpisalo, who hasn’t seen any action since February 5. No matter who is in net for their opponent, Pittsburgh may be able to outscore their defensive woes. If they haven’t already, the Penguins playoff hopes could vanish with a loss.
Prediction
These two teams typically provide a good matchup and with their seasons on the line, expect it to be a competitive bout. Boston’s underwhelming lineup changes may not be enough to get them their first victory in almost a month. While Pittsburgh has some momentum after a thrilling victory against their biggest rival, Crosby and Evgeni Malkin may be too much for the depleted Bruins blue line to handle.
Prediction: Penguins win 4-2.
Prop Bets of The Night
We wrap up NHL predictions with some prop bets. Rickard Rakell has 25 goals on the year and scored in the Penguins’ win over the Bruins in late November. He is listed at +190 to find the back of the net. For Boston, we are gonna take the safe route and say David Pastrnak, who is a +115 to score his 32nd of the season. The over/under is set at 5.5 with the odds for the over set at -140.
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The post NHL Predictions: March 1st Boston Bruins Vs. Pittsburgh Penguins appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.