Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Thursday, Jan. 04

Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Pittsburgh Penguins at American Airlines Center.
Image Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

We have your Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Pittsburgh Penguins hit the road to face the Boston Bruins.

The Boston Bruins (23-7-6) are set to host the Pittsburgh Penguins (18-14-4) in a highly anticipated matchup at TD Garden. With the Bruins leading the Eastern Conference and the Penguins fighting to climb the standings, this game could be a critical point for both teams’ playoff aspirations.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins Odds Info

Moneyline: Pittsburgh Penguins +125 (PointsBet) / Boston Bruins -148 (DraftKings)

Puck Line: -1.5 – Pittsburgh Penguins -205 (DraftKings) / Boston Bruins +170 (DraftKings)

Total: 5.5 – +108 (FanDuel) / -132 (FanDuel)

Game Info

Date: Thursday, Jan. 04

Time: 07:00 PM

Location: TD Garden – Boston, MA

TV: ESPN

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends

  • On the road this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have 8 wins and 10 losses.
  • As the underdog this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have 9 wins and 6 losses.
  • This season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hit 15 overs and 21 unders.

Boston Bruins Betting Trends

  • At home this season, the Boston Bruins have 11 wins and 5 losses.
  • As the favorite this season, the Boston Bruins have 20 wins and 11 losses.
  • This season, the Boston Bruins have hit 17 overs and 19 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the course of the last two seasons, the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins have faced off three times, with the Bruins emerging victorious in all encounters. These matchups occurred on November 1, 2022, January 2, 2023, and April 1, 2023, showcasing a consistent edge for the Bruins whether playing at home or away. In terms of betting statistics, the Bruins covered the spread once while the Penguins managed to do so twice, indicating closer contests than the outright results might suggest. The over/under betting saw the total score exceed the predicted threshold in two of the three games, with only one game falling below the over/under line. Key statistics from these games reveal that the Bruins have demonstrated a strong offensive presence, outscoring the Penguins with a cumulative score of 12-9. The Bruins also showed a higher win percentage over the season compared to the Penguins, with Boston achieving a 77.63% win rate in the 2022-2023 season as of their last game against Pittsburgh, while the Penguins had a lower 48.68% win rate.

The most recent game between the two teams on April 1, 2023, ended with a narrow 4-3 victory for the Boston Bruins. The game was characterized by a high level of offensive play, with David Pastrnak of the Bruins scoring a hat-trick, including the game-winning goal. The Bruins managed to score twice on the power play, while the Penguins failed to capitalize on their power play opportunities. The game was tightly contested, with the score tied three times before Pastrnak’s decisive third goal. The Bruins took a total of 35 shots on goal, compared to the Penguins’ 24, and both teams had a similar number of hits, with Boston at 29 and Pittsburgh at 38. The goaltending performance was relatively even, with Boston’s Jeremy Swayman saving 21 out of 24 shots for a save percentage of 0.875, and Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry saving 31 out of 35 shots for a save percentage of 0.886. Despite the close scoreline, the Bruins’ ability to convert on power plays and Pastrnak’s standout performance were key factors in their victory.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins Predictions

The Boston Bruins are entering this game on a high, riding a four-game winning streak that has seen them reclaim the top spot in the NHL. With a solid combination of offensive firepower and defensive prowess, the Bruins have been a formidable force this season. David Pastrnak has been the catalyst for the Bruins, leading the team with 22 goals and 28 assists. The Bruins’ defense, ranked among the top in the league, will be put to the test against the Penguins’ attack.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back after a narrow defeat against the Washington Capitals. Despite the loss, the Penguins have shown signs of resurgence, winning seven of their last ten games. Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel have been pivotal in the Penguins’ offense, with Crosby leading the team in goals and Guentzel in assists. The Penguins’ defense, while not as highly ranked as the Bruins’, has been steadily improving and will need to step up in this matchup.

This game will feature a battle between two of the league’s top teams, with key player matchups including the faceoff between star centers Sidney Crosby and Patrice Bergeron. Both teams boast strong power-play units, and special teams could play a significant role in the outcome. With the Bruins looking to maintain their dominance and the Penguins striving to prove their contender status, this game is set to be a thrilling contest filled with skill, strategy, and intensity.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins Pick

The Pittsburgh Penguins are the pick for this matchup, despite the Boston Bruins’ impressive record and standing. The Penguins are coming off a narrow loss to the Capitals, but they have shown resilience and a strong ability to bounce back from defeats this season. With Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel leading the charge, the Penguins have the offensive depth to challenge the Bruins’ defense. Moreover, the Penguins have been successful in covering the spread in two of their last three encounters with the Bruins, indicating their capability to keep games close and competitive. Given the attractive odds of +125 for a Penguins victory, there is value in backing the underdog in this scenario, especially considering their recent form of seven wins in their last ten games.

Historically, the head-to-head record favors the Bruins, but the Penguins have demonstrated significant improvement in their recent outings. The Penguins’ power play, which ranks among the top in the league, could be a decisive factor against the Bruins’ penalty kill. Additionally, the Penguins’ defense has been on an upward trend, which could neutralize the Bruins’ offensive threats. With the Penguins’ recent form and the potential for a high-stakes game, the momentum could shift in favor of the visitors, making the Pittsburgh Penguins moneyline bet a compelling choice for this game.

The Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins +125 (PointsBet)

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins Player Prop Picks

Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Player Name Prop Line Over Rate Over Odds Under Odds Last 10 Average Projection
Evgeni Malkin Shots On Goal 2.5 7/10 -120 -110 3.6 3.51
Evgeni Malkin Points 0.5 7/10 -160 +124 1.0 0.84
Sidney Crosby Points 0.5 7/10 -210 +160 1.1 0.90

Boston Bruins

Player Name Prop Line Over Rate Over Odds Under Odds Last 10 Average Projection
Charlie Coyle Shots On Goal 1.5 7/10 -145 +114 1.8 1.85
Morgan Geekie Shots On Goal 1.5 7/10 -166 +130 2.5 2.40
James van Riemsdyk Shots On Goal 1.5 7/10 -145 +114 2.4 2.46