Defense, Goaltending the Focus in Latest Habs-Bruins Battle

Following a stunning loss to the Detroit Red Wings, the Boston Bruins will be happy to see home ice again as they welcome the Montreal Canadiens to TD Garden on Wednesday. The Bruins dropped a 3-1 decision to the league-worst Red Wings last time out but are in great position to bounce back, having earned points in 28 of 30 home games this season.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Boston opened as an overwhelming -199 favorite in the final meeting of the season between the Original Six rivals; the Bruins have been -175 or better in six straight home meetings but went just 3-2 SU in the previous five. The total is set at 5.5.

Montreal News & Notes

The Canadiens have come a long way since an eight-game losing streak spanning late December and early January that threatened to torpedo their playoff hopes with months to spare. Montreal has won nine of its past 13 games thanks in large part to a defense and goaltending unit that has allowed the fifth-fewest goals per game over the past month (2.23).

Pivotal to Montreal’s flickering postseason hopes is continued solid play from forward Tomas Tatar, who has broken out in his ninth NHL season and is well on his way to shattering his previous career high in points (he has 52 in 56 games). Tatar has three points in three meetings with the Bruins this season, and could be a nice point prop value option.

Boston News & Notes

While the Bruins no doubt feel humbled following a listless effort in the Motor City – one that halted a six-game winning streak – they can take solace in the fact that they remain one of the stoutest defensive clubs in the league over the past three weeks. Boston enters Wednesday’s showdown having allowed just 10 goals over its last seven games overall.

But while the all-world goalie pairing of Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak deserves much of the credit for Boston’s latest bout of success, several skaters have earned laurels as well. Defenseman Torey Krug and forward David Krejci have been particularly impressive with seven points apiece in the past seven games, one fewer than team leader David Pastrnak.

Betting Pick: UNDER

These teams have averaged just four combined goals in their last six meetings in Boston, and have both played impressive defensive hockey of late. Expect the scoring chances to be few and far between in this one.