TD Garden plays host to an enticing clash as the Nashville Predators visit Beantown to take on the Boston Bruins. New England Sports Network will broadcast this East-West matchup, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 21.
Nashville Predators vs. Boston Bruins Odds
Boston (-175) is currently favored over Nashville (+155), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -120 under, +100 over.
Even though their record stands at 21-15 straight up (SU), moneyline bettors have earned 2.8 units by wagering on the Bruins this season. Of the team’s 36 regular season outings, 17 have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team’s 12-8 SU at home this year.
Boston has converted on 26.1 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 11th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.0 percent of all penalties.
Boston, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.6 times per game overall this season, and 2.0 per game over its last five contests home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 6.5 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 27.5 saves per game with a .922 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (13 wins, nine losses, and five OT losses) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Bruins this year. If head coach Bruce Cassidy chooses to give him a breather, however, the team might turn to Jaroslav Halak (8-6-6 record, .928 save percentage, 2.26 goals against average).
Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak will both be focal points for the Bruins. Marchand (51 points) is up to 18 goals and 33 assists and has recorded multiple points in 15 different games this year. Pastrnak has 28 goals and 22 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 25 games.
On the other hand, Nashville is 16-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 11.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 34 regular season contests, 21 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under the total and none have pushed. Nashville’s 7-8 SU as the away team this season.
Nashville has converted on just 16.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places it in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully defended 77.1 percent of all penalties.
Nashville’s players have been penalized 3.9 times per game this season, and 4.5 per game over their last ten games. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Pekka Rinne (2.99 goals against average and .894 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Nashville. Rinne is averaging 23.5 saves per game and owns an 11-8-3 record.
Roman Josi (11 goals, 20 assists) has been one of the most vital playmaking threats for the visiting Predators.
Nashville Predators vs. Boston Bruins Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in four of Nashville’s last five outings.
- Nashville has attempted 33.7 shots per game overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 30.2 in its last five road games.
- The Predators are 2-5 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Bruins are 8-4 SU in games where they serve more minutes than their opponent.
- Boston is 0-5 in games decided by a shootout this season while Nashville is 1-2 in shootouts.
- Boston skaters have created 9.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.2 takeaways per game (ranked 11th).
- Nashville has created 7.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.3 takeaways per game (ranked 10th).
