Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins prediction and best bet
Odds via FanDuel, current at time of writing and subject to change.
Moneyline: Bruins (-240) vs. Blackhawks (+195)
Spread: Bruins -1.5 (+105) vs. Blackhawks -1.5 (-126)
Total: Over 5.5 (-124) | Under 5.5 (+102)
The Boston Bruins look to be picking up right where they left off last regular season when they posted an all-time NHL record of 65 wins and 135 points. They’re out to a hot 5-0 start and already draw the Blackhawks for a second time on Tuesday.
The Blackhawks’ poor defense has been catching up with them against top-tier opponents. Chicago was outshot 65-42 in back-to-back losses to Colorado and Vegas.
The Bruins took the Oct. 11 matchup 3-1. Connor Bedard scored his first career goal, which wasn’t followed up until Saturday’s 5-3 loss to the Golden Knights. The 18-year-old is second on the team in points at four behind Corey Perry’s five to start this season season.
Patrice Bergeron may have moved on, but the Bruins aren’t changing their tune yet. Boston sits at fifth in expected goals at 5-on-5 play (11.79) with a 1.84 differential (eighth).
Most of the production is coming from David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand, who have eight and seven points, respectively.
But the penalty kill has been ruthless to score against. It has killed 95.5 percent of 25 penalties so far.
Chicago’s power play is in shambles scoring at a 7.4 percent rate, which is 28th overall. It’s going to be a tough bid in mustering offensive opportunity against a deep, defensively-minded lineup like the Bruins that slows down the transition game.
The goaltending tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman continues its excellence as the two have combined to lead the NHL with seven goals total allowed (1.40 GAA) and a .954 save percentage.
The Blackhawks are struggling to generate shots at even strength with a 42.6 Corsi percentage.
Bedard has been able to contribute to the quiet 16 high-danger shots Chicago has sparked, but the 1-3-1 formation just isn’t working. Head coach Luke Richardson needs to find ways to use the talent he has to penetrate the inside.
Aside from Arvid Soderblom’s rough ride against the Knights in which five of 24 shots found the net, the goaltending between him and Petr Mrazek has kept Chicago in hockey games. They’re surprisingly 11th in save percentage as the pair have combined to stop .915 percent of a second-highest 35.1 shots against this season.
There’s not a lot of argument to be made on the behalf of the Blackhawks even while inside the Madhouse. Hockey is hardly ever so black and white, but I’m comfortable hitting the plus-money value on the puck line for a team that grasps proven advantages all over the ice.
