The Boston Bruins (16-8-4) had their season disrupted by COVID-19 last week, but they return to action on Thursday at home against the New York Islanders (21-8-4). The game will be the first professional sporting event in Massachusetts with fans in attendance since last March.
These are two top defensive teams, so bookmaker Bovada has the goals total set at 5.5. However, Bovada also offers many alternative lines, such as 4.5 with the under available with the odds at +190.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 24th, 8:00 P.M. (EST)
The NHL postponed two Bruins games when five of the team’s players – David Pastrnak, David Krejci, Sean Kuraly, Jake DeBrusk and Craig Smith – entered the league’s COVID-19 protocols list last week.
Top goal-scorer Pastrnak, Krejci and Smith have all been cleared now, and the team will look to improve a 7-3-1 home record with Jaroslav Halak likely starting in goal.
The veteran netminder has started in place of Tuukka Rask lately with the Bruins No. 1 dealing with an undisclosed injury. Halak is 7-4-2 for the season with a 2.06 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage and two shutouts.
Halak and Rask have combined for a .916 save percentage, which is the sixth-best mark in the league, and the Bruins own a strong 2.29 goals-against average thanks to that.
The Islanders are giving up a league-low 2.18 goals per game. Starting netminder Semyon Varlamov has produced a solid 13-6-3 record with a 2.17 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and three shutouts, while rookie Ilya Sorokin has impressed during his first campaign with an 8-2-1 record.
Stopping Pastrnak and his line will take some doing as the Czech winger had formed one of the league’s deadliest trios with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, but the Islanders are a perfect 4-0-0 in the matchup this season with Varlamov picking up all the victories while allowing only five total goals.
Boston’s offense has gone through some cold stretches and they average only 2.68 goals per game. The Islanders have done a bit better with a 2.91 goals-for average.
With the game being played at the TD Garden, the B’s should have a slight edge as the Isles have built most of their success on home ice this season while going a mediocre 8-7-2 on the road.
The Garden will be at 12 percent capacity, which means that about 2,100 fans will get to witness a top-level matchup with both Boston and New York looking like Stanley Cup contenders.
