Bruins, Hawks Clash In Boston
Hosting Chicago on Thursday, Patrice Bergeron and the Boston Bruins will look to improve their standing in the Eastern Conference.
Postseason hopefuls clash Thursday night as the Boston Bruins host the Chicago Blackhawks in an inter-conference matchup in Bean Town.
Opening faceoff at TD Garden in Boston is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
The showdown between Original Six sides will give hockey fans and bettors a chance to see how these two stalwart teams matchup against each other.
The Story So Far
Chicago (19-8-1, 10-5-0 road) enters Thursday’s game with the best record in the Central Division and looking to catch up with the Anaheim Ducks at the top of the Western Conference standings.
The Blackhawks have produced an all-around game this season, making the league’s top five in goals scored (3.0 per game), goals against (2.5 per game) and penalty killing (91.3%). Unsurprisingly these statistics have translated into lots of wins.
Eight of Chicago’s last 10 games have come on the road. The team is 7-1 during that stretch, and enters Boston looking to go 3-0 on this four-game road swing.
The Blackhawks earned a 3-2 shootout victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.
Inconsistent play has seen Boston (15-12-1, 9-5-1 home) struggle somewhat this season. Heading into play on Thursday, the Bruins currently occupy the final wild card position in the Eastern Conference, just marginally ahead of the Florida Panthers.
The Bruins picked up a 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes in their last game, played on Saturday, closing out a four-game road trip with a 1-3 record. The side will be hoping a return to the friendly confines of TD Garden brings with it a winning streak.
Head-to-Head
Thursday’s game marks the 581st game between these two historic clubs.
Boston is 262-235-79-4 (.523) against Chicago.
Chicago is 239-260-79-1 (.482) against Boston.
The two sides split a pair a season ago, with each side successfully defending home ice.
Chicago has won four of the last five head-to-head meetings between the sides.
The two sides will meet again on February 22, this time at United Center in Chicago.
Impact Players
Chicago has no fewer than 11 players with 10-plus points this season, including three with more than 20 points.
Right winger Patrick Kane leads the way with 12 goals and 26 points, both team-bests. Center Jonathan Towes has compiled 11 goals and 12 assists, while right winger Kris Vertseeg has contributed eight goals and 14 assists. Right winger Marian Hossa leads the team with 15 assists.
Boston has struggled to find the net this season and no player has yet to break the double digit mark in goals scored. Left winger Brad Marchand leads the team with eight goals.
Center Patrice Bergeron has compiled 14 assists and 19 points, while center Carl Soderberg has added 13 assists and 18 points. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton has recorded 12 assists and 17 points. All three have netted five goals.
Starting goaltender Tuukka Rask (12-8-1, 2.56 GAA) has had a patchy season, as has backup Niklas Svedberg (3-4-0, 2.28 GAA).
Injury Report
Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford is out indefinitely with a lower body injury. Crawford has missed four straight, with Antii Raanta and Scot Darling deputizing.
Defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (leg) is also out indefinitely.
Boston will be without defensemen Zdeno Chara (knee) and Adam McQuaid (hand) as well as forwards Simon Gagne (personal) and David Krecji (hand), all out indefinitely.
Forwards Daniel Paille (illness) and Carl Soderberg (illness) are listed as day-to-day.
Check out the injury report in full
Corey Crawford (lower body) is expected to miss Thursday’s game.
Betting Report
Below you’ll find Betting Sports’ breakdown of odds and betting trends.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins odds for 12/11/2014
Moneyline: Chicago (-120) opened as a rare road favorite over Boston (+109) and has seen its advantage stretch as game time approaches.
Chicago has won seven straight games and 12 of the last 14. The Blackhawks are 7-2 on the road during that spell.
Boston is 2-4-1 in its last seven games, including a 1-1-1 record at home during that stretch.
Chicago is 8-3-0 against Eastern Conference opponents, while Boston is 11-5-1 when playing teams from the Western Conference.
Total: The total sits at 5.5. The under was favored when the line was released but heading into the game the over is now favored.
The total has gone under in Boston’s last five home games and four of Chicago’s last six road games.
Seven of the last 10 head-to-head meetings between the two sides have seen the under pay out.
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