Predators vs Bruins Prediction — Can Nashville Slow Down Red-Hot Boston?

The Nashville Predators are heading to TD Garden tonight to take on the surging Boston Bruins in what looks like a steep hill to climb. Boston comes into this one playing some of their best hockey of the year, while Nashville is still trying to figure out their identity for the season as they hover just above .500 with 52 points and near the bottom of the Central Division. With Boston dominating at home and Nashville struggling on the road, this matchup might be more lopsided than the bookmakers are making it out to be.

Game Details & Odds

The puck drops at 7 p.m. EST tonight in Boston, where the Bruins are slight -111 favorites, with the Predators sitting close at -109 on the moneyline. The total is set at 6.5, slightly juiced to the under. Boston’s 19-8-1 home record puts them among the league’s toughest hosts, while Nashville’s 10-11-2 road record tells the exact opposite.

This will be the first meeting of the season between these 2 teams as they’ll go head to head again in March. The Bruins are fresh off a tight 4-3 OT loss to the Rangers, while Nashville is licking its wounds from a 5-2 defeat to Utah, but has 3 days’ rest.

The odds are about as even as you can get, which is surprising given the recent form of these teams, and that puts this game in a good spot for bettors to make some extra change.

Stats, Trends, and What’s at Stake

Boston is absolutely rolling. Over their last 10 games, they’re 8-1-1, averaging 4+ goals a game while giving up just 2.3. The Bruins’ power play is clicking at a stunning 27.5%, which is the 3rd-best mark in the NHL. They’ve also been fairly disciplined during that stretch despite leading the league in total PIMs thanks to their aggressive style.

Offensively, David Pastrnak leads the charge with 67 points spanning 21 goals and 46 assists. That puts him 6th in the NHL for points. Morgan Geekie is showing his dominance as he’s stepped up with 29 goals, putting him 4th in goals throughout the league. Boston’s scoring depth continues to shine during this hot streak they’re on. Goaltending remains a strength as well when Jeremy Swayman is in the crease, as he’s posting a solid 2.89 GAA and .903 SV%, backed up by Joonas Korpisalo, who has a mediocre 3.12 GAA and .895 SV%.

Nashville definitely isn’t without talent, it’s just not translating to the win column as much. Ryan O’Reilly has been consistent with 50 points across 18 goals and 32 helpers, while Steven Stamkos leads the team in goals with 25. But the team is simply struggling to keep up with elite competition. Over their last 10, they’re a middling 5-5, allowing 3.5 GAA while averaging 2.9 GF/G. The power play is in the middle of the pack at 20.9%, and the PK unit, while better than Boston’s on paper at 80.3%, hasn’t necessarily been tested against a unit like the Bruins’.

Goaltending has been shaky to say the least. Juuse Saros is 20-17-3 with a 3.04 GAA and .895 SV%, and Justus Annunen has fared even worse, even in limited action. Those numbers won’t cut it against a Bruins team that scores at will and doesn’t give up much.

Prediction and Best Bet

On paper and in reality, it’s looking like this game sets up well for the Bruins. They’re undoubtedly stronger offensively and defensively, they’re at home where they’ve been nothing less than dominant, and they’ve been red-hot over the past few weeks. Nashville, meanwhile, has been somewhat inconsistent, leaky in its own zone, and poor on the road. Their -29 goal differential is a major red flag against a Bruins squad that sits 5th in goals scored and owns one of the NHL’s top power play units. All of this while the bookmakers are still showing near even odds.

Boston’s depth, pace, and physicality will, without a doubt, wear down Nashville over a full 60 minutes of hockey. With Saros struggling between the pipes and Boston’s offense humming, this feels like a game the Bruins can control from the opening faceoff.

• Prediction: Bruins 4, Predators 2
• Best Bet: Bruins -1.5 at +215

At plus money, the puck line offers some serious value for tonight’s matchup. Boston has covered in wins over Chicago, Detroit, and Seattle, Vegas recently — all by 2+ goals. That says a lot about the level this team is playing at and their ability to find the back of the net. Nashville really doesn’t have the firepower to keep up if this gets into a shootout, so with tonight’s game, we’re going to back the home team to win by a margin.