After going to overtime three times in four games last week, the Boston Bruins went 2-1-1 and now find themselves in fifth place in the Atlantic Division. They sit seventh in the Eastern Conference picture with 81 points on a 37-23-7 record and a +11 goal differential, but they’re positioned to make an upward push in the standings. This week’s upcoming schedule includes just three games, but two of those come against Atlantic Division foes and could prove crucial in the postseason race. A battle against the Montreal Canadiens kicks things off on the road before heading back home to host the Winnipeg Jets. The week ends with another away tilt at the Detroit Red Wings.
Boston Bruins’ upcoming schedule for the week of March 17:
- Tuesday, March 17 at Montreal Canadiens
- Thursday, March 19 vs. Winnipeg Jets
- Saturday, March 21 at Detroit Red Wings
Boston Bruins’ DraftKings Fantasy Preview
Tuesday, March 17 at Montreal Canadiens
- The Canadiens are in third place in the Atlantic Division and sit fourth in the Eastern Conference picture with a 36-20-10 record that adds up to 82 points, plus a goal differential of +13.
- This matchup marks the fourth and final regular-season meeting between these teams. The Bruins have the edge at 2-1 in the series thus far after a 3-2 win back in November and a 4-3 victory in the most recent game on January 24. The lone loss to Montreal came in December by a 6-2 margin.
- The Canadiens have suffered some minor setbacks in recent weeks after looking like a potential Eastern Conference contender prior to the Olympic break, and they’re just 4-3-2 since that point. The offense remains one of the league’s best with 3.50 goals per game on the season, but the defense has slipped to 24th overall with 3.26 goals against per game (allowing 3.56 since the break). Montreal is third in 5v5 goals per 60 but also maintains a strong man advantage with a 24.2% PP%, seventh in the NHL. However, the other side of the special teams unit is vulnerable — the Canadiens’ 76.9% PK% ranks sixth worst.
- Of course, Nick Suzuki is the leading point scorer for the Canadiens with 78 points (23G, 55A). He averages 12.1 DraftKings fantasy points (DKFP) with his all-around production but doesn’t pace the team in goals or assists. Those leads go to Cole Caufield (39G) and Lane Hutson (56A). Caufield has 10 goals across his last seven games and averages a team-high 13.1 DKFP, with Hutson following behind at 11.1 FPPG. While the team boasts plenty of higher-end offensive production, its goalie tandem does raise some questions. 21-year-old rookie Jacob Fowler has seen action in 12 games and was called back up to the NHL squad last week. He’s posted a 2.69 GAA and .902 SV%, both of which are better marks than incumbents Jakub Dobes (2.97 GAA, .891 SV%) and Sam Montembeault (3.43 GAA, .872 SV%).
Thursday, March 19 vs. Winnipeg Jets
- The Jets are in sixth place in the Central Division and fall all the way to 12th place in the Western Conference with a 28-28-10 record, 66 points, and a -14 goal differential.
- The Bruins and Jets have met just once this season back on December 11, a matchup which Boston won 6-3.
- The Jets were in the postseason last year, but there will be no such playoff run this time around. The club is 6-2-2 since the Olympic break but has found itself in something of a retooling year thanks to a brutal stretch between mid-November and early January. Winnipeg’s offense produces just 2.83 goals per game and sits 19th in goals per 60 in 5v5 play. The Jets aren’t seeing much success on the power play either with a 17.7% PP% that ranks 23rd. Defensively, they concede 3.03 goals against per game which falls a respectable 15th in the league, though that mark has shrunk to 2.70 across the post-break sample. The penalty kill is also around the middle of the pack at 77.8%.
- It’s Kyle Connor leading the way for the Jets in individual fantasy production with an average of 13.4 DKFP. He’s second on the team with 75 points, but his 31 goals tie for the team lead with top scorer Mark Scheifele, who has 82 points (31G, 51A) and brings 12.4 FPPG to the table. As of the time this article was written, Scheifele has recorded 10 points across his last seven games while Connor has scored a goal in each of his last three. Looking toward the netminders, reigning Hart Memorial and Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck continues to operate as the primary starter with a 2.76 GAA and .901 SV% to match the 11th-best saves above expected in the league. Eric Comrie is the backup with a 2.96 GAA and an .895 SV%.
Saturday, March 21 at Detroit Red Wings
- The Detroit Red Wings are in fourth place in the Atlantic Division and fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 37-23-8 record and 82 points along with a -3 goal differential.
- Saturday’s game is the last of four meetings between Boston and Detroit this season. The Bruins are 2-1 in the season series with wins of 3-2 in OT and 3-0, the latter of which came in the most recent matchup on January 13.
- The Red Wings’ wheels are a bit squeaky in the post-Olympic period. The team was tied for fourth in the NHL with 72 points prior to the break but has gone only 4-4-2 since the season resumed. Struggles with an already inconsistent attack have them at an average of 2.60 goals per game over this span and the power play has cratered to 14.3%, a decrease of 8.8 percentage points in comparison to their pre-break numbers. That only makes a problematic 5v5 game more of an issue with the fourth-lowest goals per 60 at even strength on the year. Over the full season’s sample, Detroit scores 2.91 goals per game while allowing 2.94 to opponents. The special teams units have a 21.9% PP% that’s good for 18th with the kill at a 79.8% mark.
- There are a pair of point-per-game producers at the top of the stat sheet for the Red Wings. Alex DeBrincat boasts 69 points (33G, 36A) and is on the best scoring pace of his career, also leading the team in goals while averaging 12.7 DKFP. Lucas Raymond has 67 points (21G, 46 A) with 10.1 FPPG and a team high in assists. It’s worth noting that Dylan Larkin is amid what will be at least a two-week absence due to a leg injury, leaving his 11.3 DKFP unavailable as the team weathers the loss of its captain and key first-line center. Between the pipes most nights is goaltender John Gibson with a 2.58 GAA and .906 SV%, also ranking 13th in the NHL in goals saved above expected. Cam Talbot backs him up with a 3.03 GAA and .891 SV%.
