The Bruins have really struggled with home ice in both the regular season and the post-season but have been good on hostile ice. Tonight they will aim to keep the trend going and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Boston Bruins
After defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series, the Boston Bruins have now won three of their four road games this postseason. In doing so, they have taken one step closer to slaying the demons of their 2010 postseason collapse against these same Flyers.
David Krejci scored four goals and registered eight points in his nine postseason games in 2010 before being lost for the playoffs after suffering a dislocated wrist in Game 3 of their series against the Flyers. Boston lost four straight after that and found themselves on the wrong side of history. After struggling by recording just one goal against the Canadiens, Krejci exploded in Game 1, scoring two goals and dishing out two assists. Patrice Bergeron continued his strong postseason, recording three assists. He is tied for the second-most points in the 2011 postseason with 10.
Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia led the Eastern Conference in goals during the regular season, and defeated one of the best goaltenders in the business in knocking out Ryan Miller in the first round. However, the Flyers bounced around three goaltenders against the Sabres, and were again victimized by their lack of goaltending in Game 1, watching first Brian Boucher then Sergie Bobrovsky allow seven goals on 33 shots. Claude Giroux recorded two assists in Game 1 to improve his point total to a league-leading 11 in the postseason, but unless the Flyers show confidence in someone in net, they will have major problems stopping Boston. Add to that, Philly is facing another excellent goaltender in Tim Thomas, and that makes the Flyers’ task even tougher.
Only the Flyers averaged more goals per game then the Bruins did in the Eastern Conference this season. However, Boston was stymied by Carey Price and Montreal averaging just 2.4 goals per game in its first round series win. You could see the relief on the Bruins faces as Game 1 moved on, knowing that they had gotten their scoring touch back. I like Boston to continue to show just how good it can be and take a 2-0 lead back home, where they just might finish the series in four straight.
The NHL betting trends provide two systems advising to pick against the Flyers and this backed up by Craig Tattan's pick on the Bruins.
PHILADELPHIA is 0-6 ATS (-9.3 Units) in home games against good teams - outscoring their opponents by 0.3+ goals/game - 2nd half of the season this season. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 1.8, OPPONENT 3.3 - (Rating = 3*).
PHILADELPHIA is 2-13 ATS (-15.5 Units) against excellent starting goalies - (saving >= 93% of shots against) in the 2nd half of the season since 1996. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 2.4, OPPONENT 3.8 - (Rating = 3*).