The Boston Bruins (23-4-1) and their opportunistic power play offense play host to the Los Angeles Kings (15-12-5), one of the league’s worst penalty killing teams, at TD Garden on Thursday. Los Angeles is wrapping up a six-game road trip coming off a 6-0 loss against the Sabres on Tuesday.
The Kings committed six penalties in the game, conceding three power play goals. Pheonix Copley only had 25 saves on 31 shots against (.806%) in the loss. Boston beat the Islanders 4-3 (SO) on Tuesday. Jake DeBrusk was the leading goal scorer for the Bruins, netting twice. Linus Ullmark only stopped 23 of 26 shots (.884%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 3-2 (OT) victory for the Kings in March. Blake Lizotte, Andreas Athanasiou, and Trevor Moore were on the scoresheet for Los Angeles. Craig Smith (1G 1A) and Charlie Coyle (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Boston. Cal Petersen got the win, saving 30 of 32 shots (.937%).
FACING OFF
Los Angeles is averaging 3.28 goals per game for the season, 14th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Bruins team that is allowing just 2.14 goals a game (1st).
Meanwhile, Boston has found the net 3.86 times a game on average, second in the league, and will be looking to capitalize on the Kings’ weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score 3.69 goals per game (28th).
Boston averages more shots/game (34.9) than most teams in the league, ranking second. Los Angeles has struggled with stopping shots, ranking No. 32 with a team save percentage of .878%.
The Bruins will be looking to add to their third-ranked power play percentage of 28.57% against the Kings, who are the league’s fifth-weakest penalty killing team (70.37%).
Los Angeles, meanwhile, has scored on 23.42% of their power play opportunities (12th), which the away team will be aiming to improve on against Boston’s NHL-best 85.85% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 32 points this season, Kevin Fiala is the top skater for the Kings. He has nine goals and 23 assists in 32 games. In the net, Jonathan Quick (8-8-3) is Los Angeles’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.54 GAA and a .882% save percentage.
David Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring with 39 points (6th in the league). He has 19 goals (5th in the league) and 20 assists in 28 games. Ullmark (16-1-0) has the best goals against average for Boston at 1.77, best in the league. He has a save percentage of .941%, also best.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 8-7-3 on the road this season. Boston is unbeaten at home this season in 16 games.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Boston Bruins (-225)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
