Mon, Mar 15, 2021
By Jim Vassallo (Veri.bet Writer)
The Pittsburgh Penguins (17-9-1, 35 points) host the Boston Bruins (14-7-4, 32 points) on Monday, March 15, at 7 PM ET at the PPG Paints Arena for an NHL East Division contest.
These two heated division rivals will look to keep pace in a tight East Division race when they hit the ice tonight. The Penguins enter on a five-game win streak, while the Bruins have played to a 2-3 record in their last five games.
Three points are all that separate the Penguins (3rd place) and Bruins (4th place) in the East Division standings. The Penguins sit seven points out of first behind the New York Islanders, while the Bruins are 10 points out of first in the division.
In such a tight division race, the two points up for grabs tonight could be a difference-maker for either of these teams as the stretch run gets closer.
During their five-game win streak, the Penguins have outscored their opponents 21-8, including a 3-0 shutout over the Buffalo Sabres in their last time out on the ice.
This is just the third meeting in an eight-game regular-season series between Pittsburgh and Boston. The Bruins have won each of the first two games by scores of 3-2 (OT) and 4-1. They will meet again tomorrow night in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games played, scoring an average of 3.5 goals per game, while allowing an average of just 2.2 goals per game.
The Bruins are just 4-4-2 in their last 10 games played, scoring an average of 2.6 goals per game, while allowing 2.5 goals per game.
The Penguins are 10th in the NHL at goals scored per game with 3.2. They are led in the category by Sidney Crosby with 10.
The Bruins have the most penalties per game in the league with 4.4. Brad Marchand leads the club with 10 penalties on the season. He also leads the team with 12 goals and 31 total points.
The Penguins have John Marino listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
The Bruins have placed Jake DeBrusk, Zachary Senyshyn, and Kevan Miller on the injured reserve. Brad Marchand and goalie Tuukka Rask are listed as day-to-day.
Surprisingly, the Bruins are favored at -1.5 (puck line) and the money line is with them at -115. The over-under is set at 5.5 total goals. It is tough to put money on the away team tonight, especially with Pittsburgh so hot right now. However, the Bruins have the Penguins number this year, winning the first two games of this season series.
Instead of picking the winner, put your money down on Over 5.5 total goals scored. Each of the first two games saw five total goals scored and tonight should be no different. In fact, tonight’s contest could wind up as a shootout following an overtime period.
Despite Boston winning the first two meetings, these teams are very evenly matched.
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