The Boston Bruins have spent the 2022-23 season at a level above the rest of the National Hockey League. They lead the league with 83 points and have a 39-7-5 record. They are second in goals per game (3.73) and first in fewest goals permitted (2.12). Their penalty kill (85.8%) leads the league, and their power play (25.1%) is fifth. Remember the predictions for the Bruins? Charlie McAvoy and Brad Marchand were out for extended periods of time after shoulder and hip surgery, respectively. Patrice Bergeron was thinking about retirement in the wake of a first-round ouster by Carolina last year. But then the B’s won 14 straight at home to set a league record, and they won 16 of their first 18 overall, which no team had done since 1929. The record for points in a season is 132 and has stood since 1976-77, when Montreal did it. Can this success be sustained? Can it lead to a Cup? We will see. In the meantime, check out our NHL betting picks from the ice for this weekend.
NHL News: Top Bets for the Weekend
Seattle Kraken (+1.5) at New York Rangers (O/U 6)
When: Friday, February 10
Where: Madison Square Garden
Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: NHL NET
Seattle (29-17-5) has been led by a high-flying offense this year, putting up 3.54 goals per game. Matthew Beniers, Jordan Eberle and Andre Burakovsky have paced the scoring lines with a combined 40 goals and 73 assists, and blueliners Adam Larsson and Vince Dunn have jumped forward to chip in 13 goals and 46 assists. However, the defense has been a problem, permitting 3.06 goals per game. Opposing offenses have had plenty of open looks, and Philipp Grubauer has not been able to turn enough pucks aside, posting an .897 save percentage and a 3.03 GAA.
New York (29-14-8) isn’t scoring quite as much as the Kraken, putting up 3.22 goals per game, but they have lit the lamp nine times in the last two contests. Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin have the top scoring line cooking with a combined 37 goals and 69 assists, and Filip Cytil, Chris Kreider, and Vincent Trocheck have posted 54 goals and 46 assists combined. The defense has been steady, permitting 2.63 goals per game, while Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox have combined to block 150 shots. Igor Shesterkin is having another terrific season in net, posting a 2.47 GAA and a .917 save percentage, and he has a 12.3 goals saved above average number. Kraken to cover, Rangers to win straight up, take the over.
Arizona Coyotes (-1.5) at Chicago Blackhawks (O/U 6)
When: Friday, February 10
Where: United Center
Time: 8:30 PM ET
TV: NHLPP / ESPN+
Arizona (17-28-6) visits the only team below them in the Central Division standings on Friday night. They only score 2.59 goals per game and haven’t even matched that in their last two games, scoring just four goals combined. The scoring lines have produced 45 goals and 53 assists from Nick Schmaltz, Clayton Keller and Lawson Crouse, but only four Coyotes have hit double figures in goals on the season. The defense has been generous, permitting 3.47 goals per game. Karel Vejmelka has been pretty good in net, with a .908 save percentage and with 2.5 goals saved above average, but he is seeing a ton of shots because of the lack of protection in front of him, and so he has just a 3.16 GAA.
Chicago (15-29-5) has an even more moribund offense, putting just 2.45 pucks in the net per game. Patrick Kane is the only player approaching All-Star quality in the Windy City, and only three skaters have hit double figures in goals. On defense, the Blackhawks allow 3.61 goals per game, and goalie Petr Mrazek has an unsightly 3.99 GAA and an .885 save percentage, with a -15 goals saved above average number. But can the Blackhawks regroup against an awful divisional foe arriving at the rink? Blackhawks to win and cover, take the under.
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