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The second half of the NHL season has begun, so now it’s time to look in on those playoff races. It’s not far-fetched to consider the Boston Bruins at Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night as a possible Stanley Cup Final preview.
Boston ended a shaky, 2-5 homestand with a 4-3 shootout win over the Dallas Stars Monday afternoon, It now begins a four-game jaunt through the west, first two in Alberta. Entering at 33-12-11, Boston is a scant point ahead of the surging Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division.
Edmonton (33-18-1) sits third in the Pacific, having split six games since winning 16 games in a row. It was a 6-3 victory over the reeling Arizona Coyotes in Tempe this past Monday.
Lines aren’t available, but once posted, please refer to NHL odds.
These teams both enjoy much wagering support, Edmonton is the 17-2 (+850) co-favorite (with the Colorado Avalanche) to win the title, Boston is the 9-1 (+900) co-third choice (with the Florida Panthers), as per NHL Stanley Cup odds.
It’s been well documented no Canadian team has captured the Cup since the 1992-93 Montreal Canadiens.
Those Slumping B’s
It took an unknown to help lift the Boston Bruins out of the doldrums. Forward Justin Brazeau, playing his first NHL game at the age of 26, scored a Monday afternoon goal against the Dallas Stars early in the second period. A veteran of the AHL, Brazeau was promoted right before the 4-3 Boston shootout win, which ended the (home) losing skid at four.
Boston will need to be extremely physical against an Edmonton team that’s loaded.
Brazeau aside, it’s the usual suspects leading the Bruins. David Pastrnak (35 goals, 45 assists, 80 points) and Brad Marchand (25-26-51) are the snipers. Pastrnak is fourth in both goals and points across the league.
Goalie tandem of Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark have only lost six games each, save percentage both over 90 percent this season.
Streak Over, But…
The Edmonton Oilers were the scourge of the league, rattling off a 16-game winning streak while making it virtually impossible on the opposition to score. A loss at Las Vegas ended the run, with the Oilers only mediocre (3-3) in their last half-dozen.
As was mentioned, they slapped around the freefalling (10 losses in a row) Arizona Coyotes on the road this past Monday, using a solid third period to secure the win.
Obviously, the invading Bruins obviously pose more of a challenge to Connor McDavid (21 goals, 62 assists 83 points), Leon Draisaitll (27-41-68) and newly-certified marksman Zach Hyman (33-18-51), Hyman’s on his way to beating a personal high of 36 goals, set last season.
Stuart Skinner (25-12-1, 2.57 goals against) has established himself as the goalie of choice, though Calvin Pickard has won six decisions in a row.
Go with Edmonton
These teams conclude their two-game season series March 5th in Boston.
The Boston Bruins just haven’t been playing their best hockey in recent games, and a trip to Edmonton to begin a western swing isn’t ideal.
Edmonton came to life when it counted Monday in Tempe, and will continue that trend with the Bruins in town.
Take the Edmonton Oilers as a home favorite on the moneyline Wednesday evening.
- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
