The Boston Bruins hope to even the series at two games apiece at Nationwide Arena in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. This Eastern Conference matchup will get underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 2 and it will air live on NBC Sports Network.
Boston Bruins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Boston (+105) is playing the role of underdog to Columbus (-125), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-140 over, +120 under).
Boston is 54-38 straight up (SU) and has netted 0.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 92 regular season contests, 50 of its games have gone under the total, while 38 have gone over and just four have pushed. This 2018-19 Bruins team is 22-23 SU on the road.
After sporting the third-strongest power-play unit in the regular season (converting 26.4 percent of all opportunities), the Bruins have connected on 30.8 percent of their power plays in the postseason. Their penalty kill’s gone from 79.7 percent in the regular season to 77.8 percent in the playoffs.
Boston’s offensive attack attempted 33.0 shots per game in the regular season, leading to 3.1 goals per outing (ranked 11th overall in the NHL). In the postseason, the team is up to an average of 35.3 shots on goal 2.9 goals per game.
Averaging 25.6 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (32-24-6) has been the top option in goal for Boston this season. If Boston decides to rest him, however, they might roll with Jaroslav Halak (22-18-4), who has a .922 save percentage and 2.34 goals against average this year.
The visiting Bruins have relied on Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak heavily this season. Marchand has 109 points via 40 goals and 69 assists, and has recorded multiple points 34 times. Pastrnak has 41 goals and 47 assists to his nameand has notched at least one point in 49 games.
On the other side of the ice, Columbus is 53-36 straight up (SU) and has netted 9.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. 50 of its outings have gone under the total, while 33 have gone over and just six have pushed. It’s 25-19 SU at home this year.
Columbus has converted on just 17.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the bottom 5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 85.2 percent of all penalties.
Columbus skaters have been sent to the penalty box only 2.8 times per game this season, and 1.6 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties just 5.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sergei Bobrovsky (26.2 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Columbus. Bobrovsky has 43 wins, 26 losses, and two overtime losses and has registered a 2.50 goals against average and a .916 save percentage this season.
The Jackets offense will be led by Artemi Panarin (32 goals, 64 assists).
Boston Bruins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The total has gone under in four of Columbus’ last five games.
- Over Boston’s last ten games, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-1 in those games).
- Boston skaters recorded 24.3 hits per game last season, while the Jackets logged 21.8 hits per matchup.
