Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins 1/2/2023 Best Picks, Odds and Predictions
The Pittsburgh Penguins will go against the Boston Bruins in NHL action in Fenway Park, MA, on Monday, January 2, 2023, at 2:00 PM ET. With their offense moving up and averaging 3.33 goals per game, the Penguins are having a good season. Jake Guentzel, Evgeni Malkin, and Sidney Crosby led the top two lines with 46 goals and 64 assists, but the rest of the attack was also excellent. While defenseman Kris Letang and Jeff Petry contributed five goals and 23 assists from the point to help open up the attack, Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, and Jason Zucker had a combined total of 30 goals and 39 assists.
The defense was not as strong as the attack, giving up 3.03 goals per game with 18 goals allowed in the previous four matches. Although the rest of the team struggled, Marcus Pettersson and Pierre-Olivier Joseph collaborated for 3.5 defensive point shares, which allowed opponents to get open chances on goal at will. The goalie Tristan Jarry’s performance, who has a.917 save percentage and a 2.78 GAA on 808 shots, was a bright spot.
- The total went UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh’s previous 9 matches.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins are 1-5 SU in their last 6 matches.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins are 6-2 SU in their last 8 matches on the road.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins 1/2/2023 Best Picks, Odds and Predictions
With an average of 3.78 goals per game and 26 goals in their previous seven games, the Bruins are enjoying a fantastic season. The top two lines, David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand, combined for 50 goals and 60 assists, but the rest of the attack also contributed. Defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy contributed six goals and forty assists from the point to boost the offense, which was led by the combined 37 goals and 45 assists from Jake DeBrusk, Taylor Hall, and David Krejci.
The defense improved as well, giving up only 2.19 goals per game despite the excellent offensive play. Charlie McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk, and Connor Clifton collaborated for 6.0 defensive point shares to give depth to the team, while Hampus Lindholm and Brandon Carlo contributed 6.2 defensive point shares and 100 blocked shots. Linus Ullmark was also outstanding in goal, stopping 706 of 706 shots for a.938 save percentage and a 1.90 goals-against average.
- The Boston Bruins are 5-2 SU in their last 7 matches.
- The total went UNDER in 9 of Boston’s last 12 matches against Pittsburgh.
- The Boston Bruins are 17-3 SU in their last 20 matches at home.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins. The NHL pick for this game is the Boston Bruins. Between two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, this will be a fantastic game. The Bruins looked incredible this year and are looking to step up and control this match as the Penguins try to pull off the unexpected. With David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and the rest of the forward group dominating the ball in the offensive zone and generating open shots with superb puck movement and powerful centering passes, the Bruins, who average 3.78 goals per game, should score a lot. With Hampus Lindholm, Connor Clifton, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on goal, the Bruins, who only surrendered 2.19 goals per game, should also be able to contain the Penguins’ offense. This will give goaltender Linus Ullmark plenty of opportunities to make crucial saves. A strong showing at Fenway Park by the Bruins should result in victory. The Boston Bruins will win to a predicted score of 5-3.
NHL Starting Time: 2:00 PM (EDT)
Location: Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts
Date: Monday, January 2, 2023
TV: ESPN+
NHL Odds: Boston Bruins -170
NHL Totals: 6
