Blackhawks vs Bruins Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Ullmark Shuts Down Young Guns

The start of the 2023-24 NHL season continues tonight as the Boston Bruins kick off their campaign against Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chicago enters this contest on the second half of a back-to-back following last night’s victory over the Penguins.

Will the Blackhawks pull off an NHL odds upset on consecutive nights or will the Bruins defend home ice on opening night? Find out in our free NHL picks for Blackhawks vs. Bruins below.

Blackhawks vs Bruins odds

Blackhawks vs Bruins predictions

The Chicago Blackhawks upset last night was honestly more of an indictment on Pittsburgh than it was a proclamation of this still-developing Hawks lineup. That’s not to take anything away from the Blackhawks — they did their job; the young guys were buzzing around the ice and the veterans stepped up to take advantage when needed.

With that said, Chicago only produced 2.82 expected goals for (xGF) at 5-on-5. On the other hand, the defense held its own against a Pittsburgh team that got nothing out of its depth as the Hawks only allowed 2.29 expected goals against (xGA) at 5-on-5.

The Under cashed last night and that's where I'm heading with my best bet as they take on the Boston Bruins tonight. The total is set lower at 5.5 compared to last night’s 6.5, but that makes sense given the Bruins’ tremendous blue line and goaltending.

Last season, Boston finished seventh in the league in xGF/60 at 5-on-5. Backing up this tremendous defense is reigning Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark.

A historic year for the Swedish netminder, Ullmark went 40-6-1 with a .938 SV% and 1.89 GAA, which marked the fourth straight season of a SV% north of .914. His underlying metrics were also — predictably — excellent as he finished second in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5.

The fact that Saros finished in front of him is not a knock on Ullmark, but rather a compliment to how often the blue line in front of him suppressed high-danger scoring chances. To end last season, there were five or fewer total goals scored in five of Ullmark’s last seven starts.

My best bet: Under 5.5 (+120 at PointsBet)

Blackhawks vs Bruins same-game parlay

Under 5.5 (+116)

Bruins ML (-320)

+184 at FanDuel

Of course, anything north of three dollars is quite a large favorite in the NHL. With that said, there's not an area of the game that Chicago is better in than Boston.

Last season, the President Trophy winners finished higher in both xGF/60 and xGA/60 than the Hawks at 5-on-5. The Bruins are also stronger in the faceoff circles, on special teams, and in the crease as Arvid Soderblom is expected to start between the pipes for Chicago.

The Hawks lost in 12 of Soderblom’s 14 starts last season, although that was more so because of the product in front of him rather than his play as he finished in the positive for GSAx/60 at 5-on-5.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Blackhawks vs Bruins moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Bruins opened as a -260 favorite and have since been bet up to -320. I wouldn’t be shocked if some Bedard-hype and recency-bias money comes in on Chicago on Wednesday morning, but I don’t think we'll see this price dip back below three dollars.

That brings us to the total, which has bounced between 5.5 and 6 depending on the shop. Personally, I like the Under at 5.5 at plus money, but if you'd rather lay some juice and take it at 6, I don’t think that would be a bad play at all.

We also may see some slower legs out of Chicago on the second half of a road back-to-back, although they're a young team and it’s the first week of the season so it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

Blackhawks vs Bruins betting trend to know

There have been five or fewer total goals scored in five of Ullmark’s past seven starts. Find more NHL betting trends for Blackhawks vs. Bruins.

Blackhawks vs Bruins game info

Blackhawks vs Bruins latest injuries

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