The Boston Bruins (-280) and their opportunistic power play offense are on the road to face the Anaheim Ducks (+230), one of the league’s worst penalty killing teams, at Honda Center on Sunday. The total is 6 (O: -120, U: +100)Boston (31-4-4) is playing the second of a back-to-back after earning a 4-2 win over the Sharks yesterday, their third consecutive win.
The Bruins committed five penalties in the game, though they held San Jose without a power play goal. David Pastrnak led the Bruins with two goals. Brad Marchand had a goal and two assists to lead the team in scoring.
Linus Ullmark had a great performance with 28 saves (.933%) in the win. Anaheim (12-24-4) beat the Sharks 5-4 (OT) on Friday. Mason McTavish was the leading goal scorer for the Ducks, netting twice. Anthony Stolarz surrendered four goals on 41 shots (.902%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Bruins won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 2-1 (SO) victory in October. Taylor Hall scored Boston’s only goal. Ullmark got the win, saving 30 of 31 shots (.967%).
FACING OFF
Boston is averaging 3.77 goals per game for the season, second in the NHL. The visitors will look to take advantage of a Ducks team that is allowing 4.00 goals a game (32nd). Meanwhile, Anaheim has found the net 2.30 times a game on average, 31st in the league, and won’t find goals any easier to come by against the Bruins’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to a league-best 2.15 goals per game.
Boston averages more shots a game (34.3) than most teams in the league, ranking fifth, while the team’s 11.1% shooting percentage is fifth. Anaheim’s average of 28.9 attempts ranks 28th.
Expect several power play opportunities for the Bruins, as the Ducks have been penalized 4.80 times a game, second-most in the NHL, for an average of 11.90 minutes (fourth-highest).
The visitors are averaging 4.26 penalties (ninth) and 10.10 penalty minutes a game (10th). The Bruins will be seeking to add to their fourth-ranked power play percentage of 27.86% against the Ducks, who are the league’s fourth-weakest penalty killing team (71.72%).
Anaheim, meanwhile, has scored on just 14.53% of their power play opportunities (32nd), which the home team will be aiming to improve on against Boston’s NHL-best 85.61% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 54 points this season, seventh-most in the NHL, Pastrnak is the top skater for the Bruins. He is among the league leaders with 29 goals (5th) and has added 25 assists. In the net, Ullmark (21-1-1) is Boston’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 1.86 GAA, best in the league, and a .939% save percentage, also best.
Troy Terry leads the Ducks in scoring with 33 points. He has 12 goals and 21 assists in 40 games. John Gibson (7-16-3) has the best goals against average for Anaheim at 3.81. He has a save percentage of .901%.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston has won three straight away from TD Garden this season. Anaheim is 8-10-1 at Honda Center this season. Meanwhile, the Bruins are 4-1 without a day off and 3-1 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Ducks are 5-3 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Boston Bruins (-300)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
