The Chicago Blackhawks (22-38-6) and their suffocating penalty killing defense welcome the Boston Bruins (50-10-5), one of the NHL’s weakest power play offenses, at United Center on Tuesday. Boston is coming off a high-scoring 5-3 loss against the Red Wings on Sunday.
The Bruins committed six penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals. Matt Grzelcyk, David Pastrnak, and Jake DeBrusk scored one apiece for the Bruins. Jeremy Swayman only had 21 saves on 25 shots against (.840%) in the loss.
Chicago dropped their third in a row, falling 3-1 to the Lightning on Saturday. Taylor Raddysh netted the lone goal for the Blackhawks. Petr Mrazek had a great performance with 34 saves (.944%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Bruins won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 6-1 victory in November, their fourth straight win against Chicago. Charlie McAvoy led Boston with four points (0G 4A). Jonathan Toews scored Chicago’s only goal. Swayman got the win, saving 17 of 18 shots (.944%).
FACING OFF
Boston is averaging 3.74 goals per game for the season, second in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blackhawks team that is allowing 3.55 goals a game (25th).
Meanwhile, Chicago has found the net a league-worst 2.47 times a game on average and won’t find goals any easier to come by against the Bruins’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to a league-best 2.14 goals per game.
Chicago averages fewer shots per game (26.6) than any other team in the league, while the team’s 9.4% shooting percentage is 26th. Boston has been the league’s best shot-stopping team, ranking No. 1 with a team save percentage of .929%.
The Blackhawks’ 28th-ranked power play offense (16.41%) will face a challenging test against the Bruins, who are the league’s best penalty killing team (85.58%). Boston, meanwhile, has scored on 22.73% of their power play opportunities (10th), which the away team will be aiming to improve on against Chicago’s 22nd-ranked 76.17% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 88 points this season, Pastrnak is the top skater for the Bruins. He has 46 goals and 42 assists in 65 games. In the net, Linus Ullmark (32-4-1) is Boston’s top goaltender. He has a 1.89 GAA, best in the league, and a .938% save percentage, also best.
Max Domi and Patrick Kane lead the Blackhawks in scoring with 49 and 45 points, respectively. Domi has 18 goals and 31 assists in 60 games, while Kane has 16 goals and 29 assists in 54 games. Mrazek (8-18-3) is the top goalie for Chicago with a goals against average of 3.75. He has a save percentage of .892%.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is 23-7-2 away from TD Garden this season. Chicago is 13-18-3 at United Center this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Boston Bruins -2.5 (+105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
