While the 2021 NHL season is compressed at 56 games per team, there is still time for radical adjustments. The Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins are proof of that. Pittsburgh jumpstarted what looked like a lost season when it hired Brian Burke as team president and Ron Hextall as the general manager. In like manner, the Bruins made a splash at the trade deadline by acquiring Taylor Hall from the Buffalo Sabres. Since those moves, the NHL betting landscape has changed dramatically for both clubs. Gamblers are increasing bets on both teams to win the East Division.
Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins
When: Sunday, April 25, 2021, 3 p.m. ET
Where: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
TV: NBC
NHL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds Analysis
Sunday’s NBC audience gets treated to a pair of resurgent teams. Pittsburgh and Boston have long brought sportsbook cache as perennial contenders. Thus, their respective performance enhances that status. Wagering action will be even for this matinee matchup on Sunday. Wise Guys will like the road dog Bruins as a maximum value opportunity. Meanwhile, squares always gravitate to power home teams like Pittsburgh. It’s the type of play that fits their comfort zone.
Boston Scoring Potential Ignited by Hall
Boston won four of their last five games, with only two of their previous six games going over the total. Boston’s NHL betting record is 25-12-6 with 16-25 under the total. NHL metrics show them 15th for goal scoring and 10th for the power play. Defensively, the Bruins rank 7th for goals against and 2nd for penalty killing. Boston leads the Rangers by four points for the final East Division playoff spot.
Of course, the acquisition of Taylor Hall generated headlines. Hall scored two goals with an assist in his first four games as a Bruin. Hall’s ultimate goal is a blockbuster contract from Boston. To reach that end, he must contribute to the Bruins lighting the lamp with far greater frequency. Concurrently, Brad Marchand leads Boston with 23 goals and 31 assists.
Penguins Remake Themselves for Playoff Push
Pittsburgh has an NHL betting record of 28-14-3 with 23-30 under the total. First place Washington leads the Pens by three points in the East Division. The Penguins won four of their last six games, and six of their previous eight games went over the number. NHL metrics show Pittsburgh ranks 6th for goal scoring and 9th for the power play. Defensively, the Penguins rank 15th for goals against and 26th for penalty killing.
Leading all Penguins’ scorers is Sidney Crosby with 17 goals and 33 assists. Jake Guentzel adds 20 goals and 26 assists.
Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins Against the Spread
The Bruins paid in four of their last five hockey betting away games. Six of their last eight away games stayed under the total. Similarly, the Penguins have won four of their previous five matchups at PPG Paints Arena. Only two of Pittsburgh’s last ten home games cleared the number.
In this rivalry, the Bruins won six of their last nine against the Penguins. And then five of the previous six games between these teams stayed under the total. However, at PPG Paints Arena, the Penguins run the payout window. Pittsburgh won seven of their last eight home games with Boston. Further, three of the previous four tilts between these teams at Pittsburgh stayed under the total.
Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins Free Pick
As was previously noted, the Bruins struggle at Pittsburgh. The Penguins are one of the NHL’s best home teams this season. Boston as a name-brand quality opponent will keep the Penguins price down.
Bruins at Penguins Best Bet: Pittsburgh Penguins
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