Boston Bruins vs Calgary Flames Picks and Predictions November 7th 2024

Boston Bruins vs Calgary Flames November 7th 2024

Betting on today’s Flames and Bruins game? Catch the action at TD Garden in Boston, MA, as the Bruins hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The odds for this non-conference game currently have the Bruins as the -1.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 5.5 goals.

Calgary vs. Boston Key Information

Calgary fell to 7-5-1 after a 4-2 loss to the Oilers. The Flames were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 6.5 goals went under, with the teams combining for 6 goals.

After trailing 2-0, Calgary tied it up, but Edmonton scored twice in the third period to secure the win. The Oilers’ first goal came just 20 seconds into the game.

Calgary’s offense was held to just two goals in their 4-2 loss to Edmonton. Anthony Mantha netted his 4th goal of the season on a power play in the second period, while Yegor Sharangovich added his first goal of the year in the third.

The Flames fired 31 shots on goal but were hampered by 22 giveaways. Kevin Bahl picked up his 5th assist of the season, and Mikael Backlund recorded his 4th assist on Mantha’s power-play goal.

Calgary’s defense struggled early, allowing the first two goals of the game, including one just 20 seconds into the first period. After the Flames tied it at 2-2, they gave up a power-play goal at the 9:50 mark of the 3rd period and an empty-netter with 3 seconds left, resulting in a 4-2 loss. Dan Vladar made 27 saves with a 90% save percentage, while the defense recorded 4 takeaways and 13 hits.

Boston moved closer to .500 with a 2-0 win over the Kraken, bringing their record to 6-7-1. The Bruins covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total for the game was set at 6 goals, but the combined score of 2 fell well short of that mark.

Both of Boston’s goals came in the first period, with Justin Brazeau scoring at 16:37 and Charlie Coyle adding a power-play goal at 10:03. The Bruins’ defense held strong, limiting the Kraken to 23 shots on goal.

Boston took 33 shots on goal in their 2-0 win over Seattle, with Justin Brazeau netting his 5th goal of the season and Charlie Coyle adding his 2nd. Coyle’s goal came on a power play, while Brazeau scored 3:23 into the first period.

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The Bruins recorded 16 giveaways and scored both of their goals in the first period. Brad Marchand picked up his 7th assist on Coyle’s power-play goal, and Elias Lindholm earned his 6th assist.

Boston’s defense was sharp in their last game, allowing 0 goals to the Kraken and securing a 2-0 win. Jeremy Swayman made 23 saves with a 100% save percentage. The Bruins’ defense also recorded 5 takeaways, 15 hits, and 27 blocks.

When it comes to a moneyline bet in this game, our analysis leans towards the Bruins picking up the win. However, given the current odds of -191, I’d advise going with the puck line, as our predictions have the Bruins coming out on top by more than one goal.

For a puck line prediction, our preference is the Bruins to secure a win and cover. Anticipate the Bruins to win this one by multiple goals over the Flames.

With an over/under line sitting at 5.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

Bruins, Flames Aim to Revitalize Struggling Special Teams in Thursday Matchup

The Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames, both grappling with inconsistent special teams, will face off Thursday night in Boston. Each team enters the game with glaring issues in power-play and penalty-kill execution, hoping to use this matchup to regain momentum in those critical areas.

Bruins’ Special Teams Woes Continue in Loss to Maple Leafs

The Bruins had recently shown promising signs with consecutive shutouts over the weekend but fell back into concerning habits on Tuesday, suffering a 4-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Boston’s special teams were a primary concern, as the Bruins allowed three power-play goals to the Leafs and failed to score on any of their six power-play opportunities.

“The players that get the privilege of either being on the penalty kill or the power play, along with us coaches, need to be better with our plan and … in our execution,” said Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, highlighting the urgency of improving these critical areas.

This was the fourth time in ten games that Boston has allowed three goals while shorthanded and the third time they’ve been shut out. Their power play sits at a disappointing 13.3 percent (29th in the NHL), and their penalty kill is faring only slightly better at 76.2 percent (20th). While star forward David Pastrnak led the team in ice time and contributed four shots and three drawn penalties, he acknowledged that special teams need to improve.

“Honestly, it was a tough loss, but I feel like we’ve been right there for most of the game and the special teams obviously hurt us,” Pastrnak said.

Despite the struggles, Montgomery believes there’s been progress in Boston’s 5-on-5 play.

“Our habits and details are growing,” Montgomery noted. “You don’t like losing 4-0, but they got three power-play goals. We look at our 5-on-5 game, we don’t think we’re giving up that much … We still don’t get the O-zone time we love to have, but that’s a work in progress.”

In addition to the special teams’ troubles, the Bruins also lost defenseman Andrew Peeke to an upper-body injury after a hit from Toronto’s Max Pacioretty. Peeke’s status remains uncertain for Thursday’s game.

Flames’ Youth Leads the Way as Special Teams Remain a Challenge

The Flames arrive in Boston with fresh confidence after a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. Calgary’s 21-year-old forward Matt Coronato was the star of the night, scoring the game-tying goal late in regulation and then notching the game-winner just seven seconds into overtime. Coronato, a Harvard alum, now has four goals in eight games this season, showcasing a bright future for the Flames.

“The kid can shoot it, a couple big ones,” said Flames veteran Blake Coleman. “He’s really talented, and he’s a hardworking kid and he’s humble; he brings a lot to the table.”

Though young players like Coronato and Connor Zary have stepped up, the Flames’ special teams have continued to lag behind. Their power play ranks 23rd in the league (15.8 percent) and has been especially anemic, producing just one goal in the last eight games. The penalty kill, at 72.1 percent, is even lower at 27th in the league.

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“Five-on-five, there’s some things that are happening for us,” Flames coach Ryan Huska said. “I like the effort we have from just about everybody in our lineup, (but) we just want to try and get the other side of the game going as well.”

Keys to the Game: Finding Solutions in Special Teams

Both the Bruins and Flames must look to shore up their special teams if they hope to change the trajectory of their seasons. Here’s what to watch:

• Bruins’ Power Play Efficiency: Boston’s power play has struggled all season, and going 0-for-6 against Toronto only added to the pressure. Look for Montgomery to adjust his approach and possibly introduce new formations to help turn things around.
• Flames’ Resilience on the Penalty Kill: Calgary’s penalty kill is one of the lowest in the league, and it faces a stern test against the Bruins. Defensive cohesion and stronger clearing strategies will be critical for the Flames to neutralize Boston’s attacking options.
• Impact of Young Talent: Coronato’s breakout performance and Zary’s contributions are encouraging signs for the Flames. Their energy and offensive spark could help the Flames if the special teams continue to falter.

With both teams on the hunt for solutions, this matchup could provide a defining moment as they attempt to strengthen their special teams and secure a crucial victory.