Predators vs. Bruins Odds
| Predators Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -170 | 5.5 -120o / -102u | +146 |
| Bruins Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +140 | 5.5 -120o / -102u | -176 |
The opening week of the NHL season continues as the Boston Bruins host the Nashville Predators on Saturday night.
Playing in opposite conferences, these clubs only squared off twice last season in two low-scoring affairs with five or fewer total goals scored each time.
Will we see another low-scoring game on Saturday, or can the goals pick up this time?
Here's a look at the odds, as well as my Predators vs. Bruins betting pick and prediction for Saturday.
Nashville Predators
Nashville enters with a 1-1 record after dropping the season opener against Tampa Bay and rebounding with a 3-0 win over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.
The blue line has looked sharp thus far. At 5-on-5, the Preds allowed just 1.43 expected goals against to the Bolts and 1.47 xGA to Seattle.
They are getting some strong defensive play from all three pairings, including the newly formed Jeremy Lauzon-Tyson Barrie combination.
Backing up this defense is perennial Vezina candidate Juuse Saros. He didn't have his best stuff against the Lightning, but predictably, he bounced back in his last start by pitching a 23-save shutout.
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We should expect yet another tremendous showing from Saros, who has consistently been one of the best goaltenders in the world.
Last season, he ranked first among all starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5.
While that's all well and good, the offense has once again looked suspect, which shouldn't be all that shocking this early in the season given these new-look lines that feature several young players trying to earn their spot among the few veterans remaining, such as the newly acquired Ryan O'Reilly and Gustav Nyquist.
The chemistry is certainly not there yet offensively, which has been especially evident at 5-on-5 as the Preds generated an average of just 2.35 xGF through the first two games.
Boston Bruins
Speaking of strong blue-line play and goaltending, those were the two greatest strengths of last season's President Trophy winner who finished seventh in the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.
The blue line remains just as good with the key pieces of Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Matt Grzelcyk and Brandon Carlo all returning.
Backing up this defensively stout blue line is reigning Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark.
Coming off a historic season, Ullmark posted a 40-6-1 record with a stellar .938 SV% and 1.89 GAA. His analytics backed up these ridiculous numbers, finishing second behind the aforementioned Saros in GSAx/60 at 5-on-5.
Ullmark picked up right where he left off in Boston's season opener as the Swedish netminder stopped 20 of the 21 pucks he saw for a .952 SV% en route to the Bs' 3-1 win over Chicago.
Predators vs Bruins
Betting Pick & Prediction
These teams had, analytically and visually, the top two goaltenders in the league last season.
With Nashville's blue line seemingly improved (albeit with a small sample) and the Bruins' defensive corps remaining dominant, I believe we will see another low-scoring affair between these two clubs just like both of their meetings last season.
Both teams also play at a bit of a slower pace, which bodes well for Unders.
With the Preds' offensive chemistry still in flux, they are going to have an extremely difficult time against this defense and Ullmark.
Meanwhile, just like he does every year for this club, Saros can keep Nashville in any game with his efforts between the pipes.
The Pick: Predators vs. Bruins Under 5.5 (+100)
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