Bruins Face Recent Cup Winner For the Second Afternoon in a Row – Host Kings Monday
The Boston Bruins get back on the ice Monday afternoon after dropping a 3-2 decision in a rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup Final against Chicago. On Monday, the Bruins have the honor of hosting the team that won the Cup a year earlier – the LA Kings in the teams’ second meeting in 11 days. The Kings won the first meeting 4-2 and enter this game having lost two straight games in a shootout.
Los Angeles (29-14-2-4) at Boston (30-15-0-3)
When: 3:00 PM ET, Monday, January 20, 2014
Where: TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Broadcast: NHLN-US, NHLN-CA, FS-W, NESN
Kings vs. Bruins Betting Lines from betonline.com
Los Angeles Kings +1½ -310 +102 Ov 5 +114 Ov 2½ +110 Un 2½ -140
Boston Bruins -1½ +260 -113 Un 5 -126 Ov 2½ +110 Un 2½ -140
The Los Angeles Kings were perhaps unlucky to lose in Detroit but the team has little time to think about it – the mighty Bruins are next on tap. The Kings have been playing much more consistent hockey of late and it coincides with the return of Jonathan Quick to the lineup after a groin injury. Quick has been sensational – he has gone 4-1-2 with a terrific 1.40 GAA since returning. He is once again giving the Kings a chance to win every night – all by himself. Quick has posted a 2.17 GAA while winning six of eight career starts against Boston.
Offensively, the Kings are still struggling to score goals – something that might haunt them against Boston. The team averages an OK 2.45 goals per game but they have had a difficult time as of late finding the back of the net. Jeff Carter has goals in consecutive games for the Kings and a three-game point streak overall – he has 19 points in 18 games while Slava Voynov has three points in two games and Drew Doughty has two points in his last two games. The Kings’ old nemesis – goal scoring may be an issue Monday – unless Quick can weave his magic once again.
The Boston Bruins have lost four of six and two of its last four have been decided by one goal – they are in every game but not getting the results. Boston is just 4-5-1 in their last 10 games overall but are playing better than that record indicates.
The Bruins are playing well defensively to nobody’s surprise – just 2.17 goals per game allowed and they are also getting it done offensively this year – scoring 2.85 goals per game.
Patrice Bergeron has two goals and three assists during a three-game point streak for the Bruins – including two goals yesterday, Brad Marchand has five points in three games, Milan Lucic has two points in two games and Riley Smith has three points in three games. Some veterans on this team are struggling however – Loui Eriksson is pointless in three games and Jarome Iginla hasn’t hit the score sheet in five games.
Tuukka Rask was pulled in the first meeting between the two clubs and could get a rest Monday after making 35 stops against Chicago Sunday. That would leave Chad Johnson who is 1-1-0 with a 1.78 GAA and .942 save percentage in his last three games to start between the pipes.
Betting Prediction: A few trends to consider:
• Under is 18-6-12 in LA last 36 road games.
• LA are 9-3 in their last 12 vs. Eastern Conference.
• LA are 20-7 in their last 27 Mon. games.
• Over is 8-2-4 in BOS last 14 overall.
• Over is 6-2-3 in BOS last 11 Mon. games.
• BOS are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. Pacific.
• LA are 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
It looks as though the LA Kings may have caught the Boston Bruins at precisely the right time. For some reason good play isn’t translating to victories for Boston. After an emotional hard-fought game yesterday, look for the Bruins to come out a tad flat Monday and for the Kings to take full advantage.
Pick: LA Kings +102
