The Boston Bruins host the Pittsburgh Penguins, Thursday Mar 18, as the Pens troubles on the road continue. This is the fourth and final meeting between the teams with the Pens leading 2-1 SU. NHL oddsmakers at SBGGLOBAL.com have the Bruins as -140 moneyline favs over the Penguins (+115) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins NHL Prediction in early at SBGGLOBAL.com
The Penguins (41-24-4-1) have won five of their last ten games and two of five road games. They are 20-14-2-0 on the road where they average 2.67 GAG and allow 2.87 GAG. They recently lost in Jersey 2-5. They got goals from Chris Kunitz and Ruslan Fedotenko. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 9 of 13 before he was pulled for Brent Johnson, who stopped all shots. Fleury will likely get the start tonight, he’s 5-5 in his last ten with a 3.00 GAA. The Pens are in a dogfight for the top of the Atlantic Division, currently sitting tied with the Devils. The Devils beat the Pens for the sixth time thuis season and should they meet in the playoffs, the Pens might be in trouble. "Playoffs is a whole different season," Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby said after his team fell to the Devils again. "Intensity is higher, the game is faster and everything is bigger and more important. When you play each other in the playoffs, the past doesn't really matter. The team that is going to execute the best is going to win. This (0-6 record vs. New Jersey) isn't something we're going to think about in the playoffs. It's behind us and we have to be better for going through this." Pascal Dupuis has four goals in eight games for the Pens since the Olympic break . Penguins forward Eric Godard (groin) is out and Evgeni Malkin is listed as doubtful.
The Bruins (31-26-3-9) are winners of five of their last ten but have only one win in five home games. They are 14-13-0-6 at home where they average 2.42 GAG and allow 2.45 GAG. They recently won in Carolina 5-2 thanks to goals from Patrice Bergeron, Johnny Boychuk, Mark Recchi, Michael Ryder and David Krejci. Goalie Tuukka Rask stopped 30 of 32 shots and is 6-4 in his last ten with a 2.40 GAA. Overall he’s 16-9-4 with a 2.09 GAA and a .928 SVPCT. The Bruins are three points ahead of the New York Rangers for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. "We needed a huge win tonight, I think we all knew that," said Bruins forward Mark Recchi, "We stayed with it; we played the right way. We were a desperate hockey club tonight. We do that for 13 more games; we'll control our own destiny and get in the playoffs." Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron has four goals and four assists in his last seven games , while David Krejci has a four-game point streak (2 goals, 4 assists).
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Favorite is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings.
- Home team is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
- Penguins are 6-16 in the last 22 meetings in Boston.
- Penguins are 0-6 in their last 6 games as a road underdog of +110 to +150.
- Under is 5-1 in Bruins last 6 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
- Under is 5-1-3 in Bruins last 9 vs. a team with a winning record.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins
When: Thursday Mar 18, 2009 7:00 PM ET
Line: SBGGLOBAL.com
Pick: Boston -140
Point-Spreads.com Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins NHL Prediction
The Bottom Line: The Pens are struggling without Malkin and they have some minor goalie woes. Be sure to get your Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins NHL Prediction in early at SBGGLOBAL.com and receive up to 295% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
