The Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Boston Bruins in a pivotal Eastern Conference battle at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday afternoon, with both teams desperately seeking points to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Bruins enter the contest having lost five straight (0-3-2) and struggling offensively with just 2.73 goals per game, while the Penguins look to build momentum after snapping a four-game losing streak with an overtime victory against Philadelphia.
Recent history between these teams has favored Boston, who holds a 6-4 advantage in their last 10 meetings, though Pittsburgh claimed a 2-1 victory in their first encounter this season back in November.
The matchup features several notable stars trying to spark their respective teams, including Boston's David Pastrnak with 31 goals this season and Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, who's coming off a two-goal performance in their last outing.
Both teams have shown defensive vulnerabilities this season, with the Penguins ranking 31st in goals against (3.59 per game) and the Bruins struggling particularly on the road.
As these longtime rivals face off in what could prove to be a season-defining game for both clubs, fans can expect an intense battle between two proud franchises fighting to climb back into the playoff picture.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins matchup, our predictive model gives the Bruins a 58% chance of defeating the Pens.
Boston Bruins: 58% win probability
- Better defensive record (192 goals against vs Penguins' 224)
- Higher points total (62 points vs Penguins' 57)
- More wins (27 wins vs Penguins' 24)
Pittsburgh Penguins: 42% win probability
- Worst goals against in division (224 goals against)
- Poor recent form (WLLLL in last 5 games)
- Lower win percentage (24 wins in 61 games vs league average)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins odds
Here are the latest odds for the NHL matchup between the Boston Bruins and the home team Pittsburgh Penguins, set to face off on Saturday, March 01.
Pittsburgh Penguins | Boston Bruins | |
---|---|---|
HOME_AWAY | -110 (via BetMGM Sportsbook) | -105 (via DraftKings Sportsbook) |
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins preview
A crucial Eastern Conference matchup is set to unfold at PPG Paints Arena as the struggling Boston Bruins face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in what could be a pivotal game for both teams' playoff aspirations.
The Bruins enter this contest in a significant slump, posting a concerning 2-5-2 record in their last nine games, including five straight losses, while struggling to find their offensive rhythm with just 2.73 goals per game this season.
Pittsburgh, despite coming off an impressive 5-4 overtime victory against Philadelphia, has been facing their own challenges, sitting at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division and dealing with defensive issues as they allow 3.59 goals per game.
The matchup features an intriguing battle between Bruins' sniper David Pastrnak, who recently netted his 31st goal of the season, and the Penguins' dynamic duo of Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson, who both delivered stellar performances in their last outing.
Historical context favors the Bruins, who hold a 6-4 advantage in the last ten meetings, though Pittsburgh claimed victory in their first encounter this season with a 2-1 win back in November.
The goaltending matchup will pit Jeremy Swayman for the Bruins against Joel Blomqvist for the Penguins, with both netminders looking to provide stability for their respective teams.
Special teams could play a crucial role, as Pittsburgh's power play ranks an impressive 8th in the league at 24.3%, while Boston has struggled with the man advantage, converting just 15.1% of their opportunities.
With both teams desperately fighting for playoff positioning and sitting outside the current playoff picture, this afternoon clash promises to be an intense battle between two proud franchises looking to turn their seasons around.
Given the recent offensive struggles of both teams and their defensive inconsistencies, fans might witness a tighter, more strategic contest than their statistics might suggest.
Key stats
- 1Both teams are struggling with identical poor recent form of WLLLL
- 2Bruins (62 points) and Penguins (57 points) sit 11th and 15th respectively in Eastern Conference
- 3Penguins have worst goals against (224) in Eastern Conference while Bruins have allowed 192
- 4Bruins have better win percentage with 27 wins in 60 games vs Penguins' 24 wins in 61 games
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins form
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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins head to head
Pittsburgh Penguins
33%
Boston Bruins
67%
Nov 29, 2024
Boston Bruins
1 : 2
Pittsburgh Penguins
Apr 14, 2024
Pittsburgh Penguins
4 : 6
Boston Bruins
Mar 9, 2024
Boston Bruins
5 : 1
Pittsburgh Penguins
Jan 5, 2024
Boston Bruins
5 : 6
Pittsburgh Penguins
Apr 1, 2023
Pittsburgh Penguins
3 : 4
Boston Bruins
Jan 2, 2023
Boston Bruins
2 : 1
Pittsburgh Penguins