We have a Predators vs. Bruins prediction as the best team in hockey tries to make it eight straight wins.
The Bruins haven’t lost a hockey game in two weeks, while David Pastrnak capped his 50th goal during a Sunday victory.
The Bruins are playing some impressive hockey.
Meanwhile, Nashville is on the outside looking in following two straight losses.
The Predators are an inconsistent hockey team, and that inconsistency has likely cost them a playoff spot.
Predators vs. Bruins odds
Moneyline: Predators (+275) vs. Bruins (-350)
Spread: Predators +1.5 (+112) vs. Bruins -1.5 (-134)
Total: Over 5.5 (-134) | Under 5.5 (+110)
Predators vs. Bruins prediction
(7 p.m. ET., ESPN+)
It’s tough to handicap the Bruins at this stage of the season.
They are a whopping 16 points ahead of Carolina for the top Eastern Conference playoff seed, and they’ve already clinched the Atlantic Division title over Toronto.
So, there isn’t much to play for right now, and we can reasonably expect coach Jim Montgomery to rest some players down the stretch.
That said, the Bruins have still won seven straight games, and a huge part of that is their depth.
The Bruins have talent down all four lines and all three defensive pairings.
So, the Bruins can rest top players and still compete with teams like Nashville, especially because the Predators are banged up.
Seven major Nashville contributors are on the injured list currently, including second-leading scorer Filip Forsberg.
For example, Tyler Bertuzzi can jump from the Bruins’ third line to the first line and likely outplay the Predators’ current top guys.
He’s put 20 shots on goal over the past seven games, picking up five points during the stretch.
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The Bruins are deeper and more talented across the roster.
The only area where Nashville can compete is in goal, as goalie Juuse Saros is putting together an elite goaltending year.
Unfortunately, the Bruins have been alternating Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark as the starting goaltender, and it’s Ullmark’s turn.
Saros has recorded the fourth-best Goals Saved Above Expected mark in the NHL this season, per Money Puck, but Ullmark ranks first.
Ullmark ranks first in almost every advanced goaltending metric this season, and he’s in line to win the Vezina Trophy.
Saros is great, but he’s not playing as well as Ullmark this year.
It’s worth backing Boston in this spot.
Even if they rest some top starters, the Bruins will still have advantages across the ice, with the most significant advantage coming in the net.
The moneyline price is far too high to consider betting Boston straight up.
However, I would consider pairing Boston’s moneyline in a parlay with another favorite on the board.
I recommend pairing the Bruins with the New York Rangers, who are playing the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Pairing the Bruins ML (-350) with the Rangers ML (-400) would give you a -165 parlay on FanDuel Sportsbook, and that’s a bet worth making.
Predators vs. Bruins pick
Bruins ML (-350) as a parlay piece