Boston Bruins at Vegas Golden Knights Betting Preview
The Boston Bruins and Vegas Golden Knights wrap up their regular season series on Sunday, but we could very easily see these two meeting up this Spring in the Stanley Cup Finals. Boston (21-4-1) leads the NHL with 43 points, while the Golden Knights sit atop the Pacific at 20-8-1.
Boston suffered a real stinker on Friday, losing 4-3 in Arizona as hefty -344 favorites. The Bruins haven’t lost consecutive games yet this year, though, which is a big factor in why they are -143 favorites for Sunday night’s tilt.
Revenge Game for Boston
These two clubs met up last Monday at TD Garden, with the Golden Knights getting a 4-3 SO win that snapped the Bruins’ record-breaking 14-game home win streak to start the season. Now Boston will try to return the favor, which is very well possible considering Vegas is just 8-6 on their own ice this season.
Boston got caught looking ahead to the trip to Vegas, costing bettors dearly in the 4-3 loss to the 8-13-4 Coyotes. Arizona had lost six in a row prior to that game, and they hadn’t beaten the Bruins since 2010. The Bruins have now lost two out of their last three, and the fatigue from such a hot start to the year may be getting to them.
It will be interesting to see who Jim Montgomery goes with in net here, as Jeremy Swayman could only stop 12 of 16 shots vs. the Coyotes on Friday. Linus Ullmark has faced Colorado in his last two starts, allowing just one goal.
Vegas Looks for Confidence
Obviously, the calendar hasn’t even flipped to 2023 yet, but completing the season sweep over Boston could go a long way for the Golden Knights’ confidence if these clubs do, in fact, meet up for the Stanley Cup in June.
In order to get that season sweep, Vegas has to play better on their own ice Sunday. The Golden Knights suffered a three-game losing streak at T-Mobile, all as favorites against the Kraken (-184), Vancouver (-189), and the Rangers (-123) before finally getting an OT win over Philadelphia on Friday 2-1. That’s just six goals scored for the Golden Knights in their last four home games.
Much like it’s an uncertainty who Pittsburgh starts on Sunday, Vegas has some decisions to make between the pipes as well. Logan Thompson has allowed 4+ goals in three of his last five starts and was in net for the 5-1 loss to the Rangers in his most recent outing. Adin Hill has only allowed one goal in each of his last two starts.
Bruins at Golden Knights Pick
You can tell Boston was anxiously awaiting the chance to avenge their only home loss of the season, so much so that they completely overlooked the lowly Coyotes in Friday’s defeat.
Well, here you are, Bruins, and the -143 price tag isn’t bad, considering Boston has won six of the last eight head-to-head, and the road team has gone 5-1 in the last six meetings.
Pick: Bruins -143
