The NHL is heating up with Playoffs starting in the coming weeks. The Eastern Conference looks to have solidified their eight teams while the Western Conference remains in a dog fight. We have 10 games taking place tonight with some great matchups. I’ll breakdown the matchup between the Bruins and Blues and offer a few other plays at the end.
Boston Bruins @ St. Louis Blues
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- TV Coverage: ESPN+
- Boston Bruins: 46-24-5, 4th Atlantic (23-11-3 Away)
- St. Louis Blues: 46-20-10, 2nd Central (26-9-4 Home)
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| Boston Bruins | +104 | +110 | +1.5 (-230) | o6.0 (-130) |
| St. Louis Blues | -125 | -130 | -1.5 (+185) | u6.0 (+110) |
Trends:
- Under is 3-0-2 in Bruins last 5 overall.
- Boston are 11-4 SU in their last 15 games on the road.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis’ last 6 games.
- St. Louis are 9-0 SU in their last 9 games.
Previous Matchups:
- April 12, 2022
- STL (4) @ BOS (2)
- STL +115, BOS -140, O/U 6.0 (-115/-105)
- STL xG: 2.66, BOS xG: 2.35
- (STL) Ville Husso +0.35 GSAx
- (BOS) Jeremy Swayman -2.09 GSAx
- STL (4) @ BOS (2)
Preview:
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins have clinched a playoff spot but, are still in a battle with Washington to decide who will be the first wild card. Boston does have three points on the Capitals and haven’t looked great going .500 in their last 10 games. They’ll also be with out David Pasternak, Hampus Lindholm, and Linus Ullmark as the team has confirmed they will not be traveling with them on their two game road trip.
As previously mentioned the Bruins will be without their leading goal scorer tonight in David Pasternak. Brad Marchand does have more points than him which is why I specified goal scorer. Pasternak has been out for eight games already and will miss another two with an undisclosed injury. I’m assuming he’ll be ready to go for the playoffs but without him, their top line isn’t as nearly as good. His replacement of Jake Dubrusk doesn’t seem to have that connection on the top line which to his credit is fair given how long Pasternak, Marchand, and Bergeron have played together.
Despite the loss of Pasternak, the Bruins have managed offensively, averaging 3.30 Goals For in their last ten which is above their season average. They’ve done a great job of continuing to generate chances offensively leading to more opportunities. Their Power Play has been atrocious with the loss of their main shooter and has only three goals on their last 32 attempts.
The Bruin’s defense also has a key member out in Hampus Lindholm, who they acquired at the deadline. Lindholm hasn’t played with this team much so any additional chemistry he can build with his partner is huge.
All season long Boston has been a great defensive team ranking in the top 5 of goals against per game and shots on goal allowed per game. During their last ten games, they’ve been slightly worse in terms of goals against averaging 2.90. Their Penalty Kill already ranks 8th in the NHL but has even better in that stretch.
Given the news of Ullmark, Jeremy Swayman is likley to get the start for the Bruins in St. Louis. Despite being sent down to the minors for a bit with Tukka Rask rejoining the team, he has been the better goalie of the two. Swayman ranks 14th in the NHL in terms of Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) with a +7.3. He hasn’t been great allowing three or more goals in two of his last three starts. One of those outings was against the Blues so he’ll look to redeem himself in this one.
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are on a roll right now winning their last 9 games! If they are able to get to 11 wins it would match their franchise record of 11 set back in the the 2018-19 season. They’ve had some big wins during stretch including an OT thriller against Minnesota who they’re currently battling it out with for 2nd place in the Central Division. As of now the Blues have are one point ahead of Minnesota but the Wild do have a game in hand. The Blues have clinched a spot in the playoffs regardless of how the season ends up so now they’re just playing for seeding.
St. Louis’ offense has certainly been the spark behind this nine game run averaging 5.40 Goals For in their last 10 games. While they have remained constant in terms of shots generated, their Shooting % has jumped to 18% which is absolutely wild and completely unsustainable. They already had the best Shooting % in the NHL but this run that their on has solidified that even more.
Rob Thomas, has been leading the way offensively with a 13 game point streak, the longest active streak in the NHL. During that stretch he has six goals and nineteen assists for a total of 25 points. Vladamir Tarasenko has also been great, scoring at least one goal in his last five games. Pavel Buchnevich, who plays on their top line with Thomas and Tarasenko also has been on a point steak himself tallying at least one in their last ten games.
The Blues have remained consistent on defense still hovering around their average goals against during their winning streak. Even with their goals against remaining unchanged, they haven’t been great giving up more shots against averaging 35.30 in their last ten. One bright spot for them has been their Penalty Kill which has only given up 1 goal against in their last 18 attempts.
Ville Husso is expected to get the start as Jordan Binnington was in net in their previous game. Husso played well against the Bruins last time out and has emerged as St. Louis’ number one guy. On the year he ranks 7th in terms of Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) with a +17.0. He did have a bit of an off night in his last start allowing 5 to Minnesota but before then had been very good.
Pick:
- BOSTON BRUINS/ ST. LOUIS BLUES UNDER 6.5 (-120) – BetMGM
- The Bruins are one of those rare teams that are actually better on the road this season. They average less goals against on the road and slightly less goals for. St. Louis is much better defensively at home but, is better offensively. Last game, Swayman had an awful game and gets a shot at redemption here. The total pushed at 6 last game despite one of the top goalies in the NHL having an off night. I expect this to be a physical game where Boston looks to slow down St. Louis high powered offense. Husso is also a solid goalie and given the loss of Boston’s best forward, I don’t think they’ll be able to put up too many.
Other Picks for the Night:
- LOS ANGELES KINGS/ ANAHEIM DUCKS OVER 5.5 (-122) – Barstool
- While the Kings have been great defensively this season, they haven’t been as good in their last few games. On the year, the Kings have averaged about the same amount of goals for on the road and allowing more against. The Ducks also average about the same amount of goals for home and away but, are slightly better defensively at home. However, if we look at a more recent same size, the Ducks have been averaging more goals for and more goals against. Jonathan Quick will start his fourth consecutive game and oddly enough, he has struggled recently after allowing just one goal in his previous start. John Gibson who will start for Anaheim has allowed 3 or more goals in his last twenty starts.
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting.
