The 2023-24 NHL season is really starting to heat up as there are some great games taking place throughout the league each night. That is going to be the case on Wednesday night as the Carolina Hurricanes are set to visit the Boston Bruins.
Carolina is currently sitting at third place in the Metropolitan Division, and they are a team that has the chance to go on a deep playoff run. The Hurricanes have gone just 2-2 in their last four games, and they need to bounce back in a big way.
Boston is coming into this game having won five straight games, and they have been playing some great hockey. The Bruins are now sitting on top of the Atlantic Division this season, having picked up 67 points already this season.
Boston comes into this game as moneyline betting favorites at -140, and the over/under line for this game is at 5.5 goals.
Carolina Cruising on Offense
The Carolina Hurricanes continue to be a team that can score goals, but they have struggled to slow down their opponents on the other end of the ice. Carolina comes into this game scoring 3.40 goals per game this season, and they are great on the power play.
Sebastian Aho has really developed into a terrific player for the Hurricanes, and he is going to be a player to watch in this game. Boston will try to take Aho away from the Carolina attack, and that will put pressure on others to step up.
The Hurricanes have had all kinds of trouble slowing down opponents this season as they are allowing over three goals per game. Carolina will need to set the tone early in this game or will could be a long night.
Bruins Tough in Blue Paint
Most NHL teams try to win games by outscoring their opponents, but that just hasn’t been the case so far this season. Boston has proven to be a dominant defensive team as they are allowing right around 2.6 goals per paint.
Goaltender Jeremy Swayman has been the best in the blue paint for Boston this season, but he also gets a ton of help. Boston kills off 84 percent of their own penalties, and they play a very physical brand of hockey.
David Pastrnak is once again setting the tone on offense for the Bruins as he is leading the way with 30 goals and 37 assists. Boston has also been an explosive offensive team this season, but that’s not needed to take control of most games.
Bruins Beat the Hurricanes
This is going to be a matchup of two of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, but only one of these teams has been playing well. Carolina is coming into this game struggling a bit, and it won’t be easy to slow down the Bruins in this game.
There just doesn’t appear to be any weaknesses for the Bruins this season, and they always tend to control the action. Boston will get a nice boost from a great home crowd as well, and that should allow them to get some clutch plays to control the action.
Bet the Boston Bruins at -140 on the moneyline in this big NHL showdown as the home team is going to take control.