Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers Prediction, NHL Odds
The Bruins opened their current two-game swing through New York with Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over the Islanders, extending their current overall win streak to three games. The Rangers have been idle since tallying a 3-1 win in Columbus on Monday, but have claimed victory in just three of their past five home dates.
The Bruins’ recent dominance has failed to give them a lift on the Thursday NHL odds, where this contest is pegged as a pick ‘em, with each of these clubs sporting -110 odds. The total is listed at 5.5, with the OVER emerging as a shortened -115 bet.
Bruins vs. Rangers NHL Betting Odds
Thursday night’s matchup at Madison Square Garden marks the second of three scheduled meetings this season between these Original Six rivals. The Bruins skated to a 5-2 win when they visited the Big Apple back on November 3, and have now won two straight in head-to-head play after losing four of their previous five. Historically, clashes between these clubs have tended to be low scoring. However, the OVER has paid out in three of their past five matchups, halting a steady 8-1 run for the UNDER.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins overcame a slow start in Wednesday’s date on Long Island, spotting the Islanders an early 1-0 advantage before storming back in the second period with a pair of goals just 3:12 apart to claim a lead they would not relinquish. Boston shooters have continued to fill the net during their current 3-0 run, averaging 4.67 goals per game, and have averaged four goals per game during a 7-0-1 run on the road.
The Bruins have also been undaunted by hectic scheduling, going undefeated in their past four when playing in the back half of games played on back-to-back nights, and outgunning opponents by a wide 18-5 margin over that stretch. After potting seven total goals over his past three away outings, David Pastrnak saw his road scoring streak come to a halt on Wednesday. However, the Bruins still contributed one assist, and has tallied at least one power play in four of his past six contests including in each of his past three road appearances.
New York Rangers
The Rangers continued to pad their point total with Monday’s 3-1 win over the Blue Jackets, and have now suffered just one regulation defeat in their past nine games, pulling them to within five points of the Metropolitan Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes. Goals have come at a premium of late for the Blueshirts, who have averaged just 2.6 goals per game during their current 3-1-1 run.
Leading scorer Artemi Panarin has cooled off considerable over that stretch, recording just one goal and one assist. Panarin has also contributed just three markers and one assist over his past five home appearances, and has picked up just three total points over his past six dates against Boston. But while the Rangers offence has sputtered, Igor Shesterkin has picked up the slack. The Rangers netminder has surrendered just two goals per game over his past three outings while racking up a sparkling .932 save percentage, and has allowed more than three goals just once in his past 10 home starts.
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NYR