Flames vs Bruins: Expert NHL Picks and Predictions 02/28/23

Odds

2021-2022 season stats

Preview

On Tuesday, February 28th, the Boston Bruins will visit the Calgary Flames for a matchup that is expected to be exciting. The Bruins are the best team in the Atlantic Division, boasting a record of 46-8-5, while the Flames are 27-21-12 and sit in 5th place in the Pacific Division.

Calgary Flames

The Flames have had an up-and-down season so far, with a record of 27-21-12. They have struggled to find consistency on the road, with a record of 12-10-10 away from home and they're not that well at home with a 15-11-2. The Flames' offense has been their strong suit this season, with Tyler Toffoli leading the way with 24 goals and 27 assists. Mikael Backlund has also been impressive, with five goals and nine assists in the past 10 games.

However, the Flames' defense has been a cause for concern this season, ranking 24th in goals allowed per game. Their penalty killing has also been subpar, with a success rate of just 77.3%. In order to defeat the Avalanche, the Flames will need to tighten up defensively and limit the Avalanche's chances.

Elias Lindholm has been the Flames' best player this season, with 16 goals and 33 assists. However, they have also been relying on Tyler Toffoli, who has been in good form recently, scoring six goals and adding three assists in the last ten games. The Flames have the offensive firepower to put up goals, but they will need to be more disciplined and avoid giving away too many penalties if they are to come away with a win in this game.

The Flames have given up an average of 3.3 goals per game in their last ten games, which is not ideal. They will need to tighten up defensively and avoid giving the Coyotes too many scoring opportunities. The Flames' penalty kill has also been struggling this season, with a success rate of just 76.7%. They will need to improve their penalty kill if they are to come away with a win in this game.

Despite the Flames' struggles, they have been able to stay competitive this season due to their depth and experience. They have a number of players who can step up and make a difference, including Lindholm, Toffoli, and Johnny Gaudreau. The Flames will need their secondary scorers to step up and provide offensive support for their top players.

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins are looking fierce heading into their next game against the Calgary Flames. They are riding a six-game winning streak and are determined to keep their momentum going with a win over the Flames that would secure them their fourth win in a row.

Boston's offense is in top form, currently averaging 3.69 goals per game. In their last game, the Bruins managed to score five goals on just 30 shots, showcasing their efficiency in front of the net.

Leading the charge for the Bruins is the ever-talented Brad Marchand, who contributed a goal and an assist in the last game. His linemate Patrice Bergeron also found the back of the net, while Nick Foligno provided two assists.

However, it's not just the Bruins' offense that is performing well; their defense is among the best in the league, currently giving up an average of just 2.07 goals per game. In their last game, the Bruins didn't concede a single goal and will be looking to replicate that defensive effort against the Flames.

In net, the Bruins have found a gem in Jeremy Swayman, who saved all 28 shots he faced in the last game. Swayman boasts an impressive 13-4-4 record in 23 games, with a 2.21 goals against average (GAA) and a .918 save percentage. With a goaltender like Swayman, the Bruins have a solid foundation to build their defensive efforts on.

The Bruins are a team on a mission, and their recent winning streak is proof of that. They are playing with a sense of purpose and determination that is hard to ignore. Their offense is firing on all cylinders, and their defense is rock solid. It's clear that this team is a force to be reckoned with in the league.

However, they will be facing a tough opponent in the Flames. Calgary has struggled at times this season, but they are coming off a much-needed win and will be looking to build on that momentum. The Bruins will need to be at their very best to secure a win against the Flames.

INJURIES: Jake DeBrusk is questionable for this game.

BETTING TRENDS

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games.

Boston are 7-0 SU in their last 7 games.

Boston are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games against Calgary.

Boston are 6-0 SU in their last 6 games on the road.

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Calgary.

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Calgary's last 8 games.

Calgary are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games.

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary's last 7 games against Boston.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 6 games at home.

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Calgary's last 7 games when playing at home against Boston.

Prediction

First, the Bruins have been in excellent form recently, winning their last six games in a row. Their offense has been firing on all cylinders, averaging 3.69 goals per game, while their defense is among the best in the league, giving up just 2.07 goals per game. This strong combination of offense and defense means that the Bruins are likely to dominate the game and control the pace of play.

Second, the Bruins are playing with a sense of purpose and determination that is hard to ignore. Their recent winning streak is proof of their focus and motivation, and they will be looking to continue this momentum against the Flames. In contrast, the Flames have had an up-and-down season so far and have struggled to find consistency, especially on the road.

Finally, the Bruins have a solid goaltender in Jeremy Swayman, who saved all 28 shots he faced in their last game. Swayman has been impressive all season, with a 2.21 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. With a goaltender like Swayman, the Bruins have a strong foundation to build their defensive efforts on and limit the Flames' chances.

Although the Bruins are playing on back-to-back games and their fourth game on the road, their strong form and motivation, coupled with the Flames' inconsistent play, make it likely that they will win by 2 or more goals. However, it's important to note that injuries and other factors can always influence the outcome of a game, so the Bruins will still need to play their best to secure a win.

PICK: Bruins ML (-127) 

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