NHL Odds: Bruins Continue Playoff March in Florida

It doesn’t look like the Boston Bruins (43-16-8) are about to slow down anytime soon. The Bruins have won six of their last seven games to take over second place in the Eastern Conference standings, but this Thursday, they’ll have to contend with an even hotter team: the Florida Panthers (34-26-7), who have re-joined the playoff hunt by winning eight of their last ten. NESN has the coverage from BB&T Center beginning at 7:30 PM ET.


The Bruins have been on a tear since mid-November, getting quality goaltending from both Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin, who are tied with a .918 save percentage. Boston’s puck possession stats are strong, and they’re winning 50.9% of their face-offs, but they might have to do without their top skater. LW Brad Marchand (29 goals, 40 assists) is day-to-day with an undisclosed upper-body injury that he picked up over the weekend.

Florida’s renaissance can be traced to one man: goalie Roberto Luongo (.926 SV%). He came off the injured list in mid-February and has won eight of his 11 starts since then, allowing two goals or fewer on six occasions. The Panthers are now completely healthy for their Wild-Card chase in the East.

NHL Odds: Bruins-Panthers in Battle of Streaking Teams

The Boston Bruins (43-16-8) have won six of their last seven games. The Florida Panthers (34-26-7) have won eight of 10. They’ll meet this Thursday at the BB&T Center, starting at 7:30 PM ET on NESN. LW Brad Marchand (upper-body injury, day-to-day) could sit for the Bruins.


Boston has been on fire since mid-November, storming into second place in the Eastern Conference and fourth overall in the NHL standings. Florida’s success has been more recent; they’ve moved into Wild Card position in the East since top netminder Roberto Luongo (.926 save percentage) returned to active duty last month.