Golden Knights at BOSTON on the final day of February

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@MrBator

After playing 8 times in just 14 days, including the last SIX all going into overtime, the Bruins finally got a couple days off, and when they resume play tonight, they'll be hosting the Golden Knights.  Back on January 11th, the Stanley Cup champions dealt the Bruins one of their 14 (wow!) overtime losses in a 2-1 upset at The Fortress in Vegas. That's bad for the VGK because this season the Bruins are 6-1 at TD Garden when facing an opponent who defeated them on the road in their first and only meeting of the season. Check it out...

The Bruins lost 3-2 in overtime in Montreal on November 11th and then beat them 5-2 in Boston a week later.

The Bruins lost 5-4 in overtime in Tampa Bay on November 20th and then beat them 7-3 in Boston on January 6th.

The Bruins lost 7-4 to the Rangers in New York on November 25th and then lost to them 2-1 in overtime in Boston three weeks later. 

The Bruins lost 5-2 in Columbus on November 27th and then beat them 3-1 in Boston a week later.

The Bruins lost 2-1 in overtime in New Jersey on December 13th and then beat them 5-2 in Boston seventeen days later.

The Bruins lost 5-1 in Winnipeg on December 22nd and then beat them 4-1 in Boston exactly one month later.

The Bruins lost 4-3 in an OT shootout in Colorado on January 8th and then beat them 5-2 in Boston ten days later.

A note about that 2-1 OT home loss to the Rangers. That was the only one of the seven home games that was played in the afternoon. The Bruins haven't been at their best in home day games. That means that the Bruins are now a perfect 6-0 in home night games this season when facing an opponent that defeated them on the road in their first and only meeting of the season. The Bruins won every game by more than a goal and outscored those six opponents by a cumulative 29-11. That's pretty much like winning every game by a score of 5-2. Interesting that 4 of the 6 games involved the Bruins seeking revenge for an overtime loss, and they'll be seeking the same thing tonight.

More on the Bruins - they've now lost their last three games, all in overtime.

After a sizzling start to the season, they lost three games in a row in late November, the final two on the road against the Rangers and the Blue Jackets. Then, after a couple days off, they hosted the Sharks and blanked them 3-0. 

Shortly before Christmas, the Bruins lost four games in a row. The 3rd and 4th losses happened back-to-back in Winnipeg and Calgary. Then, after a 3-day break for Christmas, the Bruins returned to action in Buffalo and beat the Sabres 4-1.

One week into 2024, the Bruins began a road trip by disastrously losing the first three games, all in overtime. Then they ended the road trip with a 4-3 win in St. Louis.

Earlier this month, the Bruins faltered during a homestand. First they came out flat on a Saturday afternoon and got blanked 3-0 by the Capitals. Then they lost an OT shootout to the Lightning. Then the Kraken beat them 4-1. Then the Bruins lost their fourth in a row at home, a 5-4 OT loss to the Kings, but again, that was played on a Saturday afternoon. The Bruins ended the homestand by barely beating the Stars in an OT shootout, but again, it was another unimpressive performance during the daytime, as this matinee was played on President's Day. In their next game, the Bruins upset the Oilers 6-5 in Edmonton. 

All of this is to say, that when the Bruins are coming off 3 or more consecutive losses, and they're not unrested and they're not playing during the day......probably shouldn't bet against 'em!

As I mentioned above, Thursday's home game against the Golden Knights will be played after the Bruins have enjoyed a couple days off. This will be their 12th home game played with 2+ days rest this season. They have been beaten only once in regulation in the prior 11 games. That was a 3-1 loss to the Sabres on December 7th. On December 19th they lost 4-3 in overtime to the Wild, and on February 13th lost a 3-2 OT shootout to the Lightning.

I am not counting their 4-1 loss to the Flames on February 6th as that was their first game back from the All-Star break and was played after a 9-day layoff.

Tonight will also be the fifth time this season the Bruins have returned home from a road trip and enjoyed 2 or 3 days rest. They won the prior four games by scores of 5-2, 5-2, 3-0, and 5-2.

The Golden Knights are coming in off of a strong 6-2 win in Toronto that snapped the Maple Leafs 7-game winning streak. That had to be a satisfying feeling of revenge after the Leafs had humiliated them 7-3 just five days earlier at The Fortress. The 6-2 win was the fifth time this season the Knights won a game by more than 3 goals. After the prior four such wins, the Knights followed those blowouts with a 4-2 loss in Anaheim, a 3-0 loss in Washington, and a 5-3 home loss to Nashville. Their only win was a 5-4 OT shootout win at home against the lowly Sharks. Well, I guess you could call that a win.

Let’s go bruins. They been to OT 22 times this season. I wonder if that’s a record for them unfortunately they don’t do well in ot. 

I initially intended to bet on the Bruins only laying a goal and a half, but I bet them -147 last night at Circa because that price was just too low. I have significantly more on the Bruins -1.5 +170 and -1.5 +165.

#4 Bobby Orr was who I grew up watching so anytime you make a case for the Bruins I'll ride along BOL tonight! 

@MrBator

 Awesome analysis.  With you. 

I added the Golden Knights team total under 2.5 -110 and 2.5 -120.

Are you also playing the under < ?

Solid!  I am on Boston and Anaheim!  

It's a shame not many people bet hockey and many may never see this great write-up. Typically by now, one of Bator's threads would have thousands of views. Perhaps, some folks will stumble upon this and hockey will have a few more fans than usual tonight. Great info MrB! I'm on the Bruins with you.

Thanks and BOL

BATOR 

Only the Golden Knights team total under. I'll be surprisd if they get more than one puck past Jeremy Swayman.

Good luck tonight Mr Bator I'm jumping on with you. Boston should be in a pissed off mood

 I am on Boston and under

Thanks for the detailed analysis!

Very nice.  I like it.  -147 wow!  

@MrBator  Thank you for the write-up.  Lots of good info there.  

Best of luck tonight.  Hoping Boston wins.