Bruins vs Blue Jackets NHL Predictions 03/30

© Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Boston Bruins

It's a battle of extremes as the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets face off against the top team in the NHL, the Boston Bruins. In this March 30, 2023 Eastern Conference showdown, the Bruins will host the Blue Jackets at 7 p.m. EDT at TD Garden. According to NHL picks experts, the Bruins are the heavy favorites to come out on top. With a stellar record of 57-12-5 overall and 30-4-3 at home, Boston's offensive firepower led by David Pastrnak and Jake DeBrusk is expected to dominate. However, the Blue Jackets have had some recent success when scoring three or more goals, boasting a 23-8-4 record in those games. NHL picks computer and EM predictions also heavily favor the Bruins, but anything can happen in hockey. While the Blue Jackets have struggled with injuries to key players like Zach Werenski and Patrik Laine, they can still pull off an upset with strong performances from standout Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau. Will the Bruins maintain their dominance or will the underdog Blue Jackets surprise everyone with a victory? Only time will tell, but this is sure to be an exciting game for fans of both teams. As for the best NHL bets today, the Bruins may be a popular pick, but some may choose to bet on the underdog Blue Jackets with the spread. NHL picks and parlay bettors may also have differing opinions on this matchup. Stay tuned for more NHL predictions today leading up to game time, and don't miss this exciting game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Boston Bruins.

Blue Jackets: Offensive Analysis

The Columbus Blue Jackets have had a disappointing season, currently sitting in eighth place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 23-43-7. However, they have shown some promise on the offensive end, especially when scoring three or more goals, as they have a 23-8-4 record in such games. Unfortunately for the Blue Jackets, they will be facing off against the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Bruins, who have a record of 57-12-5 and a 30-4-3 record at home. The Bruins have been one of the best defensive teams in the league, giving up only 1.9 goals per game in their last ten games. The Blue Jackets will need their top performers, such as Boone Jenner who has 25 goals and 19 assists, to step up and produce against a tough Bruins defense. However, the Bruins have their own offensive firepower in David Pastrnak, who has 52 goals and 45 assists, and Jake DeBrusk, who has scored five goals with four assists in the last ten games. Based on expert NHL picks and computer predictions, it is unlikely that the Blue Jackets will be able to keep up with the Bruins' offense and defense. However, if the Blue Jackets can capitalize on their opportunities and keep the Bruins' offense in check, they may have a chance to pull off an upset. Overall, the best NHL bets today will likely be in favor of the Bruins, as they are the clear favorites in this matchup. The Blue Jackets will need a strong offensive effort and solid defensive play to have any chance of competing with the Bruins.

Blue Jackets: Defensive Analysis

When it comes to defense, the Columbus Blue Jackets will have their work cut out for them against the Boston Bruins. The Eastern Conference leaders have an impressive home record of 30-4-3 and have scored the third-most goals in the league this season. However, the Blue Jackets have shown that they can hold their own defensively, even against tough opponents. One of the areas where the Blue Jackets have excelled this season is penalty killing. They have the ninth-best penalty kill percentage in the league, and this could be crucial against a Bruins team that averages 4.3 penalties per game. If the Blue Jackets can limit the Bruins' opportunities on the power play, they will give themselves a better chance of coming away with a result. Another key factor for the Blue Jackets will be their ability to limit the Bruins' top line. David Pastrnak has been one of the most prolific goal scorers in the NHL this season, with 52 goals to his name. If the Blue Jackets can shut him down, it will make life much harder for the Bruins. Columbus will also need to be wary of Jake DeBrusk, who has been in fine form recently. While the Blue Jackets have struggled to keep the puck out of their own net this season, they have shown that they can score goals. In particular, they have been strong when scoring three or more goals in a game. If they can continue to find the back of the net against a strong Bruins team, they will give themselves a good chance of competing. Overall, the Blue Jackets will need to be at their best defensively to stand a chance against the Bruins. Their penalty killing and ability to limit the Bruins' top line will be crucial, and they will need to find a way to score goals themselves. However, if they can execute their game plan effectively, they could come away with a surprise result in Boston. 

Bruins: Offensive Analysis

The Boston Bruins boast one of the most dominant offenses in the NHL, with a record of 57-12-5, including an impressive 30-4-3 at home. They have an excellent combination of speed, skill, and size, making them a matchup nightmare for any team that tries to take them on. Their offensive success is largely attributed to forward David Pastrnak, who has an incredible 52 goals and 45 assists this season. Pastrnak's elite scoring ability is matched by his stellar playmaking skills, making him a constant threat on the ice. Backing up Pastrnak is forward Jake DeBrusk, who has scored five goals and four assists in his past ten games. DeBrusk is a versatile player who can play on any line, making him a valuable asset to the Bruins. On the other hand, the Columbus Blue Jackets have a less formidable offense, with a record of 23-43-7 overall and a 9-23-5 record on the road. Though they have a decent record of 23-8-4 when scoring three or more goals, their overall performance leaves much to be desired. In the previous meeting between these teams, the Bruins claimed a convincing 4-0 victory. Considering this, as well as the Blue Jackets' lackluster offensive record, it's no surprise that NHL picks experts and computer models are likely to favor the Bruins in the upcoming match. In conclusion, the Boston Bruins have one of the strongest offenses in the NHL, while the Columbus Blue Jackets struggle to produce consistent results. With star players such as David Pastrnak and Jake DeBrusk leading the charge for Boston, the Bruins are poised to dominate their upcoming match and continue their winning streak. NHL picks and parlay bets are likely to favor the Bruins, making this game a standout opportunity for those seeking the best NHL bets today.

Bruins: Defensive Analysis

The Boston Bruins are known for their strong defensive play, and this game against the Columbus Blue Jackets is no exception. The Bruins have a league-leading 2.21 goals against average, and their top defensive pair of Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo have been solid all season long. In addition to their strong defensive pairing, the Bruins boast a deep defensive corps, with players like Matt Grzelcyk and Mike Reilly providing solid minutes on the back end. They also have a strong penalty kill, with an 85.6% success rate, which ranks fourth in the NHL. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, have struggled to score goals all season long, averaging just 2.49 goals per game, which ranks 29th in the league. While they do have some talented offensive players like Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau, their lack of depth up front will make it difficult for them to generate scoring chances against a Bruins team that is tough to break down. Overall, the Bruins' strong defensive play and penalty killing ability, paired with the Blue Jackets' lack of offensive firepower, make it likely that Boston will come out on top in this matchup. NHL picks experts and computer models alike are likely to favor the Bruins, and NHL picks and parlay bets may be the way to go for bettors looking to capitalize on this game.

Injury Report Analysis 

Heading into their matchup, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Boston Bruins have several players listed on their respective injury reports. The Bruins will be without Nick Foligno, who is out with a lower-body injury, and Jakub Lauko, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Derek Forbort is also out with a lower-body injury, while Taylor Hall is out with a lower-body injury as well. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets will be without several key players. Mathieu Olivier is out with a leg injury, Nick Blankenburg is out with an ankle injury, and Zach Werenski is out with a shoulder/labrum injury. Jake Bean is also out with a shoulder injury, while Justin Danforth is out with a shoulder injury as well. Patrik Laine is out with a triceps injury, and Elvis Merzlikins is day-to-day with a leg injury. Finally, Erik Gudbranson is out for the season with a shoulder injury. The Bruins have managed to stay atop their division despite their injuries, thanks in part to the impressive play of David Pastrnak and Jake DeBrusk. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, have struggled this season and will have to overcome the absence of several key players if they hope to compete with the Bruins. Despite the injuries to both teams, the Bruins are still the favorites to win this matchup, according to NHL picks experts and computer models. However, with the Blue Jackets' impressive record when scoring three or more goals, there is still a chance for an upset. Overall, the injuries will play a significant role in this matchup, and it will be interesting to see how both teams respond. NHL picks and parlays for this game will be heavily influenced by the injury report, and fans should keep a close eye on any updates leading up to the game.

Prediction:

Bruins' home dominance will be too much for the struggling Blue Jackets to handle. The Bruins will take control from the first puck drop and never look back, securing a convincing victory. The Bruins are the heavy favorites according to NHL picks experts due to their dominant home record and strong offense, but the Blue Jackets have had recent success when scoring three or more goals. Injuries to key players may also play a role in this matchup. Stay tuned for more NHL predictions and betting tips leading up to the game.

Pick: Bruins ML