Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions December 28th 2024

Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets December 28th 2024

The Blue Jackets and Bruins are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Bruins will host the game at TD Garden in Boston, MA. The over/under for this game is set at 6.5 goals, and the Bruins are the -1.5 goal favorites against the Blue Jackets in a Eastern conference matchup.

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Columbus vs. Boston Key Information

• Teams: Blue Jackets at Bruins
• Where: TD Garden Boston
• Date: Saturday, December 28th
• Betting Odds BOS -224 | CBJ +185 O/U 6.5

The Blue Jackets Can Win If…

Columbus fell to 15-15-6 after a 7-2 road loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets, underdogs on the puck line, allowed five goals in the first period. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for 9.

Columbus didn’t score until 0:49 into the second period, when Damon Severson made it 5-1. Kevin Labanc added another goal for the Blue Jackets later in the second period.

The Blue Jackets fired 36 shots on goal but managed just two scores in their 7-2 loss to the Capitals. Damon Severson netted his fourth goal of the season, while Kevin Labanc added his second. Columbus was held scoreless in the first period before Severson got them on the board 49 seconds into the second.

Sean Monahan picked up his fifth assist of the season on Labanc’s goal, and Zach Aston-Reese added his second assist. Adam Fantilli also contributed with his fourth assist on Severson’s goal. The Blue Jackets had 13 giveaways in the game.

Columbus’ defense struggled early, allowing five goals in the first period, with the first coming just 56 seconds into the game. They gave up another in the second and one more late in the third, leading to a 7-2 loss. Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves but had a save percentage of just 68.2%.

• Spanning across their last three games, Columbus have gone 2-1. This also includes going 2-1 puck line and an over-under mark of 3-0.
• Across Columbus’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 4-6. In these contests, the team went just 5-5 against the spread, while going 6-4 on the over-under.

The Bruins Can Win If…

With a 2-0 win over the Kraken, the Bruins improved to 19-14-4. Boston, favored by -1.5 goals, covered the puck line. The total 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. Justin Brazeau opened the scoring at 16:37, and Charlie Coyle added another at 10:03. The Bruins’ defense held Seattle scoreless throughout the game.

Boston’s offense started early, with Justin Brazeau netting his 5th goal of the season just 3:23 into the first period. Charlie Coyle followed with his 2nd goal, this time on a power play, at the 10:03 mark.

The Bruins fired 33 shots on goal but were held scoreless after the first period. They recorded 16 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Bruins were rock solid, shutting out the Kraken in a 2-0 victory. Jeremy Swayman made 23 saves with a 100% save percentage, while the defense contributed 5 takeaways and 15 hits.

• Spanning across their last three games, Boston have gone 2-1. Their strong play has also resulted in an puck line mark of 2-1 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 1-2 in those same games.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Bruins have gone 6-4 straight up. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 5-5, in addition to an over-under mark of 7-3.

The Lean

If you’re looking for a moneyline bet in this one, we have the Bruins coming out on top. However, with the lines sitting at -224, I’d recommend looking to the puck line as our projections have the Bruins winning 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 Blue Jackets.

For those assessing the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will stay below that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the under.

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Blue Jackets Look to Complete Season Sweep Against Bruins in High-Stakes Rematch

The Columbus Blue Jackets aim to extend their winning streak and complete a three-game season-series sweep when they visit the Boston Bruins on Saturday. This matchup follows Friday’s decisive 6-2 victory for Columbus, marking their second win against Boston this season and continuing their impressive four-game point streak (3-0-1).

With momentum on their side, the Blue Jackets will look to overcome their road struggles and build on their recent successes, while the Bruins aim to regroup and defend their home ice after a tough loss.

Blue Jackets Riding High on Momentum

Friday’s game highlighted Columbus’ strong form, featuring standout performances and a balanced offensive attack. A dominant second period, where the Blue Jackets scored four goals, proved pivotal.

Forward Kirill Marchenko extended his seven-game point streak with a one-goal, two-assist night, bringing his tally to four goals and nine assists during this run. Marchenko’s line, with Dmitri Voronkov and Sean Monahan, led the charge. Both Voronkov and Monahan netted two goals each, further showcasing the team’s offensive depth.

Defenseman Zach Werenski was instrumental in the win, contributing a remarkable four assists to propel the team forward. Reflecting on the game, Werenski praised the Marchenko line: “They’re the line that drives our team.”

After Friday’s success, Columbus head coach Dean Evason emphasized the need for consistency: “We have to be better on the road if we’re going to get to where we want to go. (Friday’s) game has to roll into (Saturday).”

Bruins Seek Redemption at Home

Despite their overall strong performance under interim head coach Joe Sacco (11-5-1), the Bruins continue to face challenges with inconsistency. Friday’s loss exposed vulnerabilities, including a poor penalty kill and a lackluster second period.

Boston’s penalty kill, a traditional strength, has been in a slump, operating at just 58.3% effectiveness over the past nine games—well below their season average of 71.4%. Sacco acknowledged the team’s shortcomings: “I thought Columbus … deserved what they got. They were the better team.”

Still, there are bright spots for Boston. Forward Charlie Coyle scored for the third consecutive game, while captain Brad Marchand extended his impressive 11-game point streak (seven goals, seven assists). Despite these individual efforts, Boston will need a collective response to avoid being swept by Columbus for the first time in recent memory.

Defenseman Charlie McAvoy expressed optimism: “The best part of this league is you get to turn a new leaf every single day. So, we’re going to leave this one here and get a chance to get it right.”

What’s at Stake

Columbus: Proving Road Resilience

The Blue Jackets have struggled on the road this season (4-11-3) compared to their strong home record (11-4-3). However, they’ve already tasted success in Boston with a 5-1 win on Nov. 18. Another road victory could solidify their position as a rising threat in the league.

Boston: Defending Home Ice

The Bruins boast a five-game home winning streak, making Saturday’s game a crucial opportunity to reset and maintain dominance on home ice. Historically, Boston has dominated the Blue Jackets, losing only once in their previous nine meetings before this season.

Keys to the Game

For Columbus

1. Sustain Offensive Pressure: Marchenko’s line must continue driving play and creating scoring opportunities.
2. Capitalize on Special Teams: Columbus’ power play came alive on Friday with a perfect 3-for-3 performance after struggling all season. Maintaining that effectiveness will be critical.
3. Maintain Focus on the Road: Building momentum on the road will test their resilience and playoff aspirations.

For Boston

1. Revive the Penalty Kill: Boston’s recent struggles with shorthanded situations must be addressed to neutralize Columbus’ power play.
2. Play a Full 60 Minutes: Avoiding lapses, particularly in the second period, will be key to keeping the game within reach.
3. Leverage Home Ice: The Bruins need to feed off the energy of their home crowd to bounce back and assert their dominance.

Player Spotlight

Kirill Marchenko (Blue Jackets)

Marchenko’s seven-game point streak highlights his consistency and leadership on the ice. His chemistry with Voronkov and Monahan has been a game-changer for Columbus.

Brad Marchand (Bruins)

As captain, Marchand’s 11-game point streak underscores his importance to Boston’s success. His ability to lead by example will be pivotal in turning the tide on Saturday.

Looking Ahead

Saturday’s game presents a fascinating clash of narratives. Can Columbus maintain their hot streak and conquer their road woes? Will Boston rally to protect their home ice and salvage a win in this series?

Both teams have much to prove, and the outcome could set the tone for their respective paths as the season progresses.