The first-place Boston Bruins (9-1-0) take on the New York Rangers (6-3-2) in what should be an exciting game on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
Boston is first in the Atlantic Division and the NHL standings, while the Rangers sit second in the Metropolitan Division.
NHL Schedule
The Bruins vs Rangers score is perhaps the most anticipated of the 13 games on the NHL schedule for Thursday night.
Jeremy Swayman is the projected starter for the Bruins, but they could run out undefeated Linus Ullmark since they don’t play again until Saturday. Swayman is 2-1-0 with a 3.45 goals-against average (GAA) and a .878 save percentage.
NHL Teams
Of all the NHL teams, there is only one best goalie in the league, and he is Igor Shesterkin and will start for the Rangers. He’s 6-0-2 this season with a 2.22 GAA and a .921 save percentage.
Puck drop for the Bruins vs Rangers score is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST. The game will be televised on TVAS in the US and SNO and SN East in Canada.
Matchup Preview
Boston has been one of the most surprising teams in the league. Many thought they might contend for a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division, but few expected them to race out to a six-point lead in the division through 10 games.
Perhaps most surprising is the fact that Boston leads the NHL with 4.4 goals per game.
David Pastrnak leads the team in NHL player stats with 18 points in 10 games, while Patrice Bergeron has 10 points.
One of the Biggest Surprises
The biggest surprises have been Hampus Lindholm and Jake DeBrusk, who have 11 and 8 points each.
Sixteen Bruins players have at least three points, including Brad Marchand, who came back from injury one month earlier than expected and already has four points in two games.
Boston scored four straight goals to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-5 in overtime on Tuesday night, extending its winning streak to six games. Boston’s only loss this season was a 7-5 defeat to the Ottawa Senators.
“To be able to overcome that in this building, against a really good team … that speaks volumes about the guys in that dressing room,” Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said after the team’s come-from-behind win over the Pens.
Rangers Can’t Be Dominant
The Rangers haven’t been as dominant as the Bruins but are playing as well as everyone expected. They sit second in the Metropolitan Division behind the surprising 7-3 New Jersey Devils and have won three games in a row.
New York has had a fairly easy NHL schedule thus far, however, and is coming off of a 1-0 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers. They beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-2 on Sunday.
New York is playing its second of a four-game home stand in the NHL schedule.
Tuesday’s Win Over Philadelphia
Shesterkin, who recorded the shutout in Tuesday’s win over Philadelphia, will be back between the pipes for the Rangers. He has allowed just seven goals in his last four starts.
Both teams are pretty banged up on the NHL injury report. Boston is missing key contributors David Krejci and Charlie McAvoy, while the Rangers will be without center Filip Chytil and winger Vitali Kravtsov.
Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers Odds Breakdown
Moneyline
The Rangers betting odds on the moneyline are listed at (??), while the Bruins betting picks are the underdogs, paying out at (??).
Puckline
New York is listed at (??) on the -1.5 puckline. Boston is paying out (??) on the +1.5 puckline.
Over/Under
The over/under for the Bruins vs Rangers score is listed at 6.
Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers Betting Preview
Bruins
It’s no surprise that Boston has been one of the best teams against the spread this season. They’re 9-1 overall and 7-3 against the spread. They’re also 3-1 against the spread on the road. The over/under is 3-3 with four pushes through 10 games.
Rangers
The Rangers, meanwhile, are just 3-7 against the spread this season, as they’ve been involved in several close games as the betting favorite. They’re 2-4 against the spread at home. The over/under is 3-8 in Rangers games.
Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers Pick and Prediction
Expect a low number for the Bruins vs Rangers score. The under has hit more often than not in Rangers games, and there’s a good reason: Igor Shesterkin.
Boston has the league’s best offense, but it’s not sustainable.
Final Score Prediction: Bruins 3-1 Rangers
NHL Pick: Under
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