Offense meets defense at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday as the high-volume shooting Pittsburgh Penguins (37-28-10) play host to the stifling goaltending of the Boston Bruins (58-12-5).
Boston is coming off a 2-1 overtime win over the Blue Jackets on Thursday. The Bruins committed eight penalties in the game, though they held Columbus without a power play goal.
David Pastrnak and Tyler Bertuzzi each scored once for the Bruins. Linus Ullmark saved an impressive 25 of 26 shots (.961%) in the win. Pittsburgh beat the Predators 2-0 on Thursday.
Jake Guentzel and Jason Zucker each scored once for the Penguins. Tristan Jarry had a dominant performance with 28 saves to earn his second shutout of the season.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Bruins have won both games between the teams this season, including a 2-1 victory in their most recent meeting in January. Jake DeBrusk led Boston with two goals. Kasperi Kapanen scored Pittsburgh’s only goal. Ullmark got the win, saving 26 of 27 shots (.962%).
FACING OFF
Boston is averaging 3.67 goals per game for the season, second in the NHL, and they are taking on a Penguins team that is allowing 3.23 goals a game (18th).
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has found the net 3.20 times a game on average, 17th in the league, and the Bruins are holding opponents to a league-best 2.09 goals per game.
Pittsburgh averages more shots/game (34.7) than most teams in the league, ranking fourth, though the team’s 9.3% shooting percentage is 28th. Boston has been up to the task of stopping shots, ranking No. 1 with a team save percentage of .932%.
The Penguins’ 21.84% power play percentage ranks 12th in the league, while the Bruins are 15th with a conversion rate of 21.54%. Boston has been equally successful at penalty killing, boasting the league’s highest PK% at 86.43%. Pittsburgh ranks 17th at 78.90%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 99 points this season, fifth-most in the NHL, Pastrnak is the top skater for the Bruins. He is among the league leaders with 53 goals (2nd) and has added 46 assists. In the net, Ullmark (37-6-1) is Boston’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 1.88 GAA, best in the league, and a .938% save percentage, also best. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lead the Penguins in scoring with 85 and 78 points, respectively.
Crosby has 31 goals and 54 assists in 75 games, while Malkin has 25 goals and 53 assists in 75 games. Jarry (22-10-6) has the best goals against average for Pittsburgh at 2.90. He has a save percentage of .910%.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is seeking a fifth consecutive road win this season. Pittsburgh is 21-11-5 at PPG Paints Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Boston Bruins (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
