The Boston Bruins are 9-2-1 since the new year, despite dropping two of their four matchups last week. During this span, Boston has averaged 3.9 goals per game, and it has won six games by more than two goals. The Bruins are in fifth place in the Atlantic Division and seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 30-20-3 record, 63 points and a +11 goal differential.
Entering the new week, the Bruins will begin a two-game homestand against the Nashville Predators and Philadelphia Flyers, followed by a road trip to face the Tampa Bay Lightning. Compared to last week’s slate of games, things should be a bit more relaxed for Boston this week, though the Tampa Bay game figures to carry some weight when it comes to the Eastern Conference standings.
Boston Bruins’ upcoming schedule for the week of January 27:
- Tuesday, January 27 vs. Nashville Predators
- Thursday, January 29 vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- Sunday, February 1 at Tampa Bay Lightning
Boston Bruins’ DraftKings Fantasy Preview
Tuesday, January 27 vs. Nashville Predators
- The Nashville Predators are in fifth place in the Central Division and 11th in the Western Conference with a 24-23-4 record, 52 points, and a -26 goal differential.
- This will be the first meeting of the season between these two teams. Nashville has gone 6-6-0 since the new year; however, it has averaged 2.9 goals and allowed 3.8 goals per game during this span. The Predators have allowed the fourth-most 5v5 goals against per 60 this season, largely due to uncharacteristic goaltending play that has been a recurring theme since the start of last season. Surprisingly, this team ranks 10th in 5v5 xGoals% and seventh in 5v5 Corsi%, and its special teams have been above average, ranking 15th in PP% and 12th in PK%.
- In terms of points, the club is led by 34-year-old Ryan O’Reilly (18G, 32A), with Filip Forsberg (19G, 21A) and Steven Stamkos (25G, 12A) rounding out the top three. Despite an aging roster, the offense has still managed to string together some solid wins. It has been the poor goaltending from Juuse Saros (3.04 GAA, .895 SV%) or Justus Annunen (3.33 GAA, .881 SV%) that has prevented this club from consistency. Among 90 eligible goaltenders, Saros and Annunen rank 77th and 75th, respectively, in goals saved above expected. Still, Saros is tied for the most starts in the NHL, and he has averaged 10.5 DraftKings fantasy points (DK FPTS) per game this season.
Thursday, January 29 vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- The Philadelphia Flyers are in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division and 10th place in the Eastern Conference with a 24-18-9 record, 57 points, and a -8 goal differential.
- This will be the first meeting between these teams this season. The Flyers have struggled since the new year, posting a 4-6-2 record, while averaging 2.9 and allowing 4.0 goals per game. Philadelphia was a very strong goaltending team to start the season, but that strong play has essentially disappeared. Over the club’s last 10 games, it has allowed the fifth-most 5v5 goals against per 60. During this span, the Flyers have also averaged the eighth-fewest 5v5 goals per 60, which isn’t exactly a winning recipe. On top of the obvious struggles, the special teams’ play has been below average, ranking 30th in PP% and 20th in PK%.
- While the club has struggled, its depth production has been promising, with 11 different skaters totaling at least 20 points on the season. Trevor Zegras (19G, 27A) and Travis Konecny (17G, 28A) have led the way in terms of points, while averaging 9.2 and 9.8 DK FPTS per game, respectively. A big reason for the team’s goaltending woes has been the absence of Dan Vladar (2.46 GAA, .905 SV%), who has been on Injured Reserve for the past six games. Vladar is reportedly nearing a return soon, which will boost the vibes, but until then, it is Samuel Ersson (3.39 GAA, .860 SV%), and he has been one of the worst starting goaltenders in the league across 21 starts.
Sunday, February 1 at Tampa Bay Lightning
- The Tampa Bay Lightning are in first place in both the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference with a 33-14-4 record, 70 points, and a +49 goal differential.
- This will be the second of four meetings between these two teams this season, with Tampa Bay winning the first matchup, 4-3, on Oct. 13. The Lightning are the NHL’s hottest team, posting a 15-1-1 since Dec. 20, while averaging 4.2 goals and allowing just 2.4 goals per game. The club is tied for the third-most goals scored, and it ranks second in 5v5 goals per 60 and fourth in 5v5 Corsi%. Tampa Bay has also allowed the fourth-fewest 5v5 goals against per 60. As for special teams, it is more of the same, with the club ranking 11th in PP% and second in PK%. Interestingly enough, the Lightning have both drawn and taken the most penalties in the NHL.
- Offensive efficiency isn’t that hard to come by when Nikita Kucherov (26G, 54A) is leading the way. Kucherov ranks third in the NHL in points and has averaged 15.5 DK FPTS per game this season. The team does look a bit top-heavy, with Jake Guentzel (24G, 31A) and Brandon Hagel (25G, 24A) rounding out the top three, but it’s even more impressive that the Lightning have played so well while missing two key players. Both Victor Hedman (0G, 12A) and Brayden Point (11G, 19A) have been sidelined since mid-December and mid-January, respectively, though I’d expect both to return soon. It isn’t fair when Tampa Bay can score so many goals and still receive elite goaltending from Andrei Vasilevskiy (2.07 GAA, .920 SV%). Vasilevskiy ranks second in goals saved above expected and sixth in SV% above expected, while averaging a league-leading 13.8 DK FPTS per game.
