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2010 NHL Predictions: Boston Bruins

We continue looking at every team in the NHL before the 2010 season with the Boston Bruins. The Bruins finished with a very strong record, 6th overall in the Eastern Conference ahead of both Montreal and Philadelphia, and ended up with the second overall pick in the 2010 NHL entry draft, selecting Tyler Seguin. *Note* Boston acquired this pick via trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for Phil Kessel.

Boston is optimistic about their chances with a good core of returning players and having added more scoring punch with off-season acquisition of Nathan Horton. Acquired from the Florida Panthers after falling out of favor with the Panthers coaching staff, Nathan offers a big body that can play on the first line and has 60 plus point per season capability.

The biggest question mark surrounding this team for the upcoming season is health.  Most notably, can Marc Savard and Patrice Bergeron stay healthy? Two seasons ago when the Bruins had both players for the better part of the season, the Bruins finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference and the second best record in the NHL, finishing just a point behind the league-leading San Jose Sharks.

Looking at the Odds: Currently Bodog has the Bruins listed at 14/1 Odds, but as good as this team is on paper, there are a lot of question marks. The Bruins goal tending has been among the league’s best for two seasons running.  In 2008-2009 they finished 1st in Goals Against per game and in 2009-2010 they finished 2nd.  The Bruins currently have two starting goalies, but who plays, Tukka Rask or Tim Thomas?

Can they co-exist? If you look to Montreal last season, or Ottawa a couple of seasons before, having two great goaltenders both capable of starting is a very difficult juggling act for any coaching staff. Looking at the results of the last teams that have tried this approach Boston maybe better served moving one of these goalies before the season gets to deep into the schedule.

The last and maybe most interesting piece of the Bruins puzzle is Zdeno Chara’s contract status. The Norris trophy winner and two time award finalist is one of the league’s best defenseman and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.  If the Bruins cannot sign Zdeno Chara before the trade deadline would they be in a similar situation to the Atlanta Thrashers last season. With star forward Ilya Kovalchuk, looking to trade him over running the risk of letting him walk for nothing at seasons end.

If you are looking for value on the Bruins for this season, you’ll find it in totals.

The Bruins ranked dead last in goals for per game (last season) at 2.4 and 2nd overall in goals against at 2.3 per game and trended 28-45-9 posting over the total only 28 out of 82 attempts for a simple over percentage of 34%, when you think Bruins think Under in a big way.

If you are looking for the best insight into NHL lines, and want to turn your PVR into an ATM, purchase expert hockey picks and start recording some wins.