The Boston Bruins (17-2-0), one of the NHL’s weakest power play offenses, head to take on the Florida Panthers (9-8-2) and their stifling penalty killing defense at FLA Live Arena on Wednesday. Boston is coming off a high-scoring 5-3 win over the Lightning on Monday, their seventh win in a row.
The Bruins took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring twice on four shots, while also conceding a power play goal. Five players found the net for the Bruins. Linus Ullmark saved 32 of 35 shots in the win.Florida lost for the third straight game, falling 5-3 to the Blue Jackets on Sunday.
Colin White, Matthew Tkachuk, and Aaron Ekblad scored one apiece for the Panthers. Gustav Forsling and Nick Cousins both had two assists to lead the team in scoring. Sergei Bobrovsky saved only 18 of 23 shots against (.782%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Bruins won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 5-3 victory in October, their third straight win against Florida. Jake DeBrusk led Boston with three points (2G 1A). Sam Bennett, Forsling, and White each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Florida. Ullmark got the win, saving 38 of 41 shots (.926%).
FACING OFF
Boston is averaging 4.16 goals per game for the season, best in the NHL, and they are taking on a Panthers team that is allowing 3.32 goals a game (19th). Meanwhile, Florida has found the net 3.32 times a game on average, 11th in the league, and the Bruins are holding opponents to a league-best 2.11 goals per game.
Florida averages more shots a game (40.3) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 8.4% shooting percentage ranks 32nd. Boston has been the league’s best shot-stopping team, ranking No. 1 with a team save percentage of .929%.
The Bruins’ 30.00% power play percentage is the third-best in the league, while the Panthers rank 28th with a conversion rate of just 16.67%. Boston has been equally successful at penalty killing, boasting the league’s second-highest PK% at 88.57%. Florida ranks 22nd at 75.71%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 29 points this season, third-most in the NHL, David Pastrnak is the top skater for the Bruins. He is among the league leaders in both goals and assists, finding the net 12 times (6th) and assisting 17 scores for this teammates (7th).
In the net, Ullmark (12-1-0) is Boston’s top goaltender. He has a 1.89 GAA, best in the league, and a .937% save percentage, also best.Tkachuk leads the Panthers in scoring with 25 points (10th in the league).
He has eight goals and 17 assists (7th). Spencer Knight (5-3-1) has the best goals against average for Florida at 2.43. He has a save percentage of .918%. Bobrovsky (4-5-1) has played the most games in net for the Panthers this season. He has a 3.62 GAA and a .888% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is 6-2-0 away from TD Garden this season. Florida is 5-2-2 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Florida Panthers (-115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
