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- What: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins
- Date: Thursday, January 4, 2024
- Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
Tonight’s nationally televised NHL game pits the NHL-leading Boston Bruins against the Sidney Crosby-helmed Pittsburgh Penguins. The Bruins, who many pundits expected to take a step back in 2024, currently sport the best record in the NHL at 23-7-6. The club’s 52 points puts them at the top of the NHL standings, one point ahead of the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, and Colorado Avalanche. Meanwhile, the Penguins are in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division with an 18-14-4 record.
The Boston Bruins lost some key players in the offseason. Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retired, while Taylor Hall and Dmitry Orlov were traded. While those losses hurt, the veteran team still has David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Hampus Lindholm, and Linus Ullmark. To take the sting off some of those losses, the team added James van Riemsdyk and Kevin Shattenkirk.
The Pittsburgh Penguins finished the 2023 NHL campaign outside the playoffs with a record of 40-31-11. The Penguins’ new general manager, Kyle Dubas, made a preseason blockbuster trade when he picked up reigning Norris Trophy winner defenseman Erik Karlsson. That move signaled that the team was serious about making another run to the Stanley Cup with the core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for tonight’s NHL matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins, check out our betting picks to win the 2024 Stanley Cup and our tips for betting on the NHL.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins betting picks – January 4, 2024
 | Puck Line | Money Line | Total |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +1.5 (-195) | +133 | Ov 6.0 (-108) |
| Boston Bruins | -1.5 (+165) | -155 | Un 6.0 (-112) |
Pittsburgh Penguins betting breakdown
The Pittsburgh Penguins were inconsistent in the early going of the 2024 NHL season. The club was 11-12-3 with 25 points as of December 10. However, after that point, the Pens have been one of the better NHL clubs. Since losing four straight between December 2 and 8, Pittsburgh has gone 7-2-1. The club’s three-game winning streak ended on January 2, when they fell 4-3 to the Washington Capitals. During their strong run, the Pens topped tough teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and NY Islanders (twice).
Jake Guentzel leads the Penguins in scoring with 42 points this season. He is also tops on the team in assists with 25. Sidney Crosby is the top goal scorer for Pittsburgh with 21. Crosby is second on the team in points with 38. Alex Nedeljkovic and Tristan Jarry have split the goaltending load over the last 10 games the Penguins have played. However, Nedeljkovic didn’t lose a regulation game during December, going 4-0-2 in seven appearances with a 2.62 GAA and .915 save percentage. The 27-year-old could be in line for more starts considering his play as of late.
The Penguins have scored 110 goals this year and given up 97. Pittsburgh ranks 26th in the NHL on the power play (13.9 percent) and 10th in penalty kill (82.3 percent.) The Penguins are 8-7-3 on the road on the 2024 NHL season.
Boston Bruins betting breakdown
The Boston Bruins, who bowed out of the first round of the 2023 NHL playoffs, losing to the Florida Panthers in seven games, have silenced their doubters early in the 2024 season. The team opened the season with six straight wins to take the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Today, they are the top team in the Eastern Conference.
Team defense has been one of the keys for the Bruins. No Eastern Conference team has allowed fewer goals this year than Boston, who have surrendered 92 total goals, which is impressive considering the Bruins are giving up an average of 32.1 shots per game, which is the seventh-highest shots allowed per game in the NHL.
David Pastrnak is the offensive leader of the Bruins. The winger has a team-leading 50 points. Pastrnak also leads the club in goals (22) and assists (28). Brad Marchand is second in team scoring with 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists).
Boston’s goaltending duo of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman have split time in net for the Bruins, and both are playing well. The duo has combined for a 2.56 goals against average and a .922 save percentage.
Boston is No. 4 in the NHL in power play (27.5 percent) and second in penalty kill (85.9 percent). The Bruins are 11-2-3 at home in 2024.
Best bets for Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins
As hot as the Pittsburgh Penguins are entering tonight’s ESPN broadcast contest, the Bruins have been hotter. Boston is riding a four-game winning streak, with only one of those contests taking place at home, where they have played better than they have been on the road. With their play at home, the Bruins are the pick to beat the Penguins.
The Penguins have not been great defensively on the road this year. The team has given up 15 total goals in their past four games away from home, and with the way the Bruins have been scoring and capitalizing on the power play, the Penguins will be hard-pressed to keep the Bruins from putting the puck in the net. The betting pick is for the Bruins to cover the spread.
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