Boston (27-25-8) at Pittsburgh (24-28-9)
- When: Mar 1 2025, 3:00 PM
- Where: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- TV: ABC
Boston Bruins vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: Betting Preview & Predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins Moneyline -130 | Total Set at 6.0
The Boston Bruins head to Pittsburgh for a pivotal Eastern Conference showdown against the Penguins on Saturday afternoon. Both teams are desperate for wins as they fight for playoff positioning, making this matchup a high-stakes battle.
Boston enters this contest in a slump, having lost five straight one-goal games (0-3-2), which has put them four points behind the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh snapped a four-game losing streak with a thrilling comeback victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, fueled by Evgeni Malkin’s late-game heroics.
With playoff intensity ramping up, which team can seize the moment and secure a crucial win?
Boston Bruins: Struggling to Close Games
The Bruins’ struggles in close games have cost them dearly, with each of their last five losses coming by just one goal. Their most recent 2-1 defeat to the New York Islanders on Thursday is a prime example of their inability to finish strong.
“It just shows how tight the margins are right now,” said captain Brad Marchand. “This time of year, everything tightens up, and little mistakes cost games.”
The injury bug hasn’t helped, with Trent Frederic ruled out and Matthew Poitras questionable after taking a hit into the bench. Despite David Pastrnak’s elite production, the Bruins haven’t been able to capitalize on key chances, leading to their losing skid.
Key Factors for Boston:
Pastrnak’s Offensive Firepower: Riding a 16-game point streak, Pastrnak has been Boston’s best player, reaching 800 career points. However, his efforts haven’t been enough to compensate for the team’s scoring struggles.
Road Woes: The Bruins have been solid at home (18-10-5), but their road record (9-15-3) has been a major issue. A win in Pittsburgh could shift momentum before they head to Minnesota on Sunday.
Urgency Factor: Every game is crucial now, and Marchand knows this team has to fight for every point to stay in the playoff hunt.
Betting Trends for Boston:
0-5 in last five games.
2-8 in last 10 road games.
Under 6.0 has hit in 7 of their last 10 matchups.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Finding Momentum After Comeback Win
The Penguins snapped their own four-game losing streak with a dramatic 5-4 comeback win over the Flyers, erasing a three-goal deficit thanks to Evgeni Malkin’s clutch performance.
Malkin’s two late goals (including the game-winner) secured the win, and he and Sidney Crosby made history, becoming the first NHL duo to win 400 games together while recording points in each.
“I hope it gives me confidence, gives confidence to the team,” said Malkin. “We all understand we’re not perfect here, but we’ve got momentum now.”
Key Factors for Pittsburgh:
Malkin & Crosby’s Leadership: The veteran stars stepped up when needed, and another strong performance could push them past Boston.
Goaltending Emotions: Alex Nedeljkovic’s intensity after being pulled against Philadelphia fired up the team, showing the level of urgency in Pittsburgh’s locker room.
Success vs. Boston: Pittsburgh already defeated Boston 2-1 in their lone matchup this season.
Betting Trends for Pittsburgh:
4-1 in last five home games.
6-3 in last nine matchups vs. Boston.
Under 6.0 has hit in four of the last five meetings.
Prediction & Best Bet
The Bruins’ inability to close games and road struggles make it hard to trust them in this spot, especially against a Penguins team that just pulled off a confidence-boosting comeback. With momentum swinging in Pittsburgh’s favor, they should have enough firepower to get the job done on home ice.
Final Prediction:
Pittsburgh Moneyline (-130) in a tight contest.
Under 6.0 in what should be a physical, low-scoring game.
Penguins continue their dominance over Boston with another win.
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
