Two of the league’s highest volume shooting teams are set to square off at PNC Arena on Sunday, as the Boston Bruins (+110) travel to face the Carolina Hurricanes (-130). The total is 6 (O: -105, U: -115)Boston (38-6-5) is playing the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 4-3 overtime loss against the Panthers yesterday.
The Bruins committed only two penalties in the game, holding Florida without a power play goal. Craig Smith, David Pastrnak, and Charlie Coyle scored one apiece for the Bruins. Jeremy Swayman saved only 33 of 37 shots against (.891%) in the loss.
Carolina (31-9-8) won their fourth in a row, beating the Sharks 5-4 (OT) on Friday. Martin Necas and Sebastian Aho both scored twice for the Hurricanes. Antti Raanta stopped only 26 of 29 shots (.896%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Bruins won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-2 (OT) victory in November. David Krejci (2G 0A), Pastrnak (1G 1A), and Pavel Zacha (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Boston. Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Stefan Noesen were on the scoresheet for Carolina. Swayman saved six shots to earn the shutout win.
FACING OFF
Boston is averaging 3.76 goals per game for the season, second in the NHL, and they are taking on a Hurricanes team that is allowing 2.67 goals a game (6th).
Meanwhile, Carolina has found the net 3.25 times a game on average, 12th in the league, and the Bruins are holding opponents to a league-best 2.08 goals per game.Both teams average more shots a game than most teams in the league.
Carolina’s 35.2 average ranks third, while Boston ranks No. 5 with 33.7 shots. The Bruins have been equally adept at stopping shots with a team save percentage of .930% (1st), while the Hurricanes have stopped .906% of attempts (17th).
The Bruins’ 26.19% power play percentage is the fourth-best in the league, while the Hurricanes rank 26th with a conversion rate of 18.56%. Boston has been equally adept at penalty killing, boasting the league’s highest PK% at 86.47%. Carolina ranks ninth at 81.21%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 71 points this season, fourth-most in the NHL, Pastrnak is the top skater for the Bruins. He is among the league leaders with 38 goals (2nd) and has added 33 assists. In the net, Linus Ullmark (25-3-1) is Boston’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 1.86 GAA, best in the league, and a .937% save percentage, also best.Necas and Aho lead the Hurricanes in scoring with 44 and 43 points, respectively. Necas has 21 goals and 23 assists in 48 games, while Aho has 20 goals and 23 assists in 41 games.
Pyotr Kochetkov (10-4-5) has the best goals against average for Carolina at 2.33. He has a save percentage of .913%.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is 16-5-2 away from TD Garden this season. Carolina is 15-5-2 at PNC Arena this season. Meanwhile, the Bruins are 6-1 without a day off and 5-1 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Hurricanes are 3-1 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Carolina Hurricanes (-130)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
