NHL betting preview (Dec. 4): Bruins vs. Blackhawks odds
Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Wednesday’s matchup between the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks.
Bruins vs. Blackhawks Odds
- Boston Bruins Moneyline: -155
- Chicago Blackhawks Moneyline: +130
- Puck Line: Bruins -1.5 (+165), Blackhawks +1.5 (-200)
- Game Total: 5.5 (Over -105, Under -115)
Game odds via Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Bruins (13-14 SU, 6-21 ATS, 11-15-1 O/U)
Boston rallied to force overtime and win in Detroit on Tuesday. Now, they’re looking for their first three-game win streak of the season on Wednesday in Chicago. It’s a tough spot, as this will be their second game in two nights and sixth in nine days—a grueling stretch that could make the Blackhawks seem tougher than they are.
Since their coaching change, the Bruins are 5-2, but all their wins under interim head coach Joe Sacco have come against weaker opponents like the Islanders (twice), Canadiens, Red Wings, and Utah Hockey Club. The offense has improved slightly, moving from the bottom 10 to 21st in goals per 60 minutes under Sacco.
The Bruins are 8-2 in their last 10 games against Chicago and hope Jeremy Swayman can deliver again. Swayman has never lost to the Blackhawks, posting a .939 save percentage and a 1.33 goals-against average in three career games, including a shutout in his last visit to Chicago.
Though Swayman is having the worst season of his career, his recent form has been stronger, with solid outings in his last 10 games. He’s also well-rested after Joonas Korpisalo started Tuesday in Detroit. Boston has just one game over the next five days before heading to Seattle to start a five-game Western Conference road trip, which always raises concerns about a team overlooking a game like this.
Handicapping the Blackhawks (8-17 SU, 12-13 ATS, 7-15-3 O/U)
Chicago enters on a three-game losing streak, falling to Minnesota, Columbus, and Toronto. Offensively, they’re one of three teams worse than Boston this season, but while the Bruins are improving, the Blackhawks are sliding.
Since Nov. 6, Chicago ranks last in the league with just 2.07 goals per 60 minutes across all situations. They’ve scored two or fewer goals in nine of their last 12 games but are slightly better at home, averaging 2.8 goals per game compared to 2.2 on the road. Connor Bedard has scored twice in his last four games but has just three goals in his first 21, contributing to Chicago’s offensive struggles.
That said, the Blackhawks have pulled off some big upsets this season, with home wins over Florida, Dallas, and Minnesota, plus a road win in Los Angeles. They also beat Edmonton and Colorado in October. However, while Boston might not be better than those teams, Chicago is in its worst form of the season.
Per Evolving Hockey, Chicago ranked 24th in expected goals percentage (48.09%) as of Nov. 5. Since then, they’ve dropped to 32nd (41.02%), driven largely by a league-worst offense in shot attempts and expected goals per 60 minutes. The defense isn’t much better, but they’ve managed to stay competitive at times thanks to their goaltenders.
Best Bets for Bruins vs. Blackhawks
- 3-Way result: Regular Time Tie (+340) at Sports Interaction
With this being a tough scheduling spot for both teams, a tied score late in the game could see them content to settle for a point. The game total (under 5.5) suggests a low-scoring matchup, and with both offenses struggling, that tracks. Boston’s poor 6-21 record against the puck line shows it rarely wins by multiple goals (just six times). Given this, there’s a good chance the game will be closer than the moneyline odds suggest, making the +340 odds for overtime or a shootout appealing.