So far, the Bruins and Penguins are where everyone expects them to be. That is at the top of the East Division standings. Both teams have weaknesses to address for the playoffs. Boston lacks secondary scoring depth. Counter to that is Pittsburgh’s horrible goals against numbers. The Bruins and Penguins are two of the most popular teams on the NHL betting odds board. As a result, both clubs are consistently overpriced. But when they face each other, the prices are more reasonable. Thursday night Boston Hosts Pittsburgh in the evening’s top game.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins NHL Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Thursday, January 28, 2021, 7 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Penguins at Bruins TV Coverage: | ESPN+ |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penguins | – | 5½ (-130) | EV |  |
| Bruins | – | 5½ (+110) | -120 | |
| ||||
Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins SBG Odds Overview
On this occasion, sportsbook action will split evenly. The first look by sharps will be the road dog Penguins. Squares will gravitate to the name brand and home chalk Bruins. Yet you’ll find squares and sharps ending up on both sides. Cause by each team being a traditional power.
Pittsburgh Penguins Team Overview
Now Pittsburgh is 4-2 straight up and 5-1 over the total. NHL metrics have the Penguins 10th for goal scoring but 31st for goals allowed. Pittsburgh ranks 9th for the power play but 22nd for penalty killing.
Of great concern is the poor start of number one goaltender Tristan Jarry. In the past couple of seasons, Jarry backed up Matt Murray. Jarry played so well that Murray became expendable. However, Jarry may be feeling the heat as the formal starting goaltender. Jarry’s save percentage is a miserable .850. Center Sidney Crosby leads with three goals and four assists.
Boston Bruins Team Overview
To summarize, the Bruins are 3-1-1 straight up and 2-3 under the total. Boston ranks 22nd for goal scoring and 5th for goals allowed. Special teams have been a Bruins strength. To show, Boston ranks 7th for the power play and 6th for penalty killing.
Thus far, center Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron lead with three goals each. Left-wing Nick Ritchie adds two goals and three assists. Number one goalie Tuukka Rask has a .892 save percentage. In comparison, backup Jaroslav Halak is at .938.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins Betting Trends
Pittsburgh has lost seven of their last nine away games
The Penguins have gone over in just five of their last 15 road tilts
Boston has paid in 10 of their last 12 home games
Six of the Bruins last eight home games cleared the total
Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins Head-to-Head vs. the Spread
Boston has won six of their last ten games against Pittsburgh
The Bruins and Penguins have cleared the total in 10 of their last 13 games
The Bruins have gotten the cash in 10 of their last 11 home games vs. Pittsburgh
Five of the last seven between these teams at TD Garden went over the total
Penguins at Bruins SBG Free Picks
In this situation, the Penguins are probably the better value on price with the NHL lines. However, the Bruins own the Penguins at TD Garden. Also worrisome are Pittsburgh’s defensive metrics and penalty killing. Cause of Pittsburgh’s popularity, the Bruins price will be lower than usual.
SBG Best Bet: Boston Bruins.