This is a rough spot for the Bruins on the road in Carolina.
The B’s were shutout by the lowly Flyers on Wednesday, adding to what has been a slow start to the season with Brad Marchand struggling to get the puck on net – which helps explain why Boston ranks 22nd in goals scored.
Elias Lindholm has been disappointing to start the year, while big expensive free-agent resigning Jeremy Swayman hasn’t looked himself between the pipes.
With the ‘Canes holding a rest advantage after a two-day break, go ahead and play them if they are close to $1.60.
The Ducks have been kind to us this week, so we’ll continue to play the hot hand as long as it lasts.
Lukas Dostal is slated to start in net sporting a 2.0 GAA and 0.943 save percentage, tough numbers for a Pittsburgh team that has allowed 17 goals over their last four games.
Big pressure is on coach Mike Sullivan to start the season with veterans Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin slumping, so this looks a nice spot to back the Ducks as underdogs again as they try and build on a 4-4-1 start to the season.
Player Pick
The Ducks look a nice bet overall, but this could also be a ‘get right’ kind of game for some of Pittsburgh’s offensive pieces.
Pens center Lars Eller isn’t one of those, as he’s already scored four goals and accounted for 24 shots on goal.
The 15-year veteran has been one of the few bright spots on Pittsburgh’s third line, so go ahead and back to him have over 2.5 shots, something Ellers has accomplished six times already this season.
- Tip: Lars Eller Over 2.5 Shots @ $2.35
The Sharks have put up back-to-back wins over Utah and the Kings, only one less than the struggling Blackhawks through the first two weeks of the season.
Second-year star Connor Bedard has been frustrated by Chicago’s start, but the Blackhawks did show some fight on Wednesday beating the Avs 5-2 away from home.
This is another tricky road game, and it’s a shame we’re not getting a Bedard vs Macklin Celebrini matchup. But overall, the price on the Hawks looks good value with a bit of confidence on their side.
Player Pick
Bedard holds himself to very high standards, and I think he’ll be frustrated after registering just two shots in a forgettable night against the Avs earlier in the week.
In a game between two struggling bottom teams, he’ll be well aware of the narrative heading in, and likely eager to prove a point. Having registered two points and as many assists against San Jose only a fortnight earlier, it’s worth playing on a couple of markets here.
- Tip: Connor Bedard Over 0.5 Assist @ $2.05, Connor Bedard Anytime Goal Scorer @ $2.45