NHL Game Preview for Wednesday January 4, 2011: Boston Bruins @ New Jersey Devils

Online Betting Overview
There is no team better at playing defense in the NHL than the Boston Bruins. For a long time, that was what people used to say about the New Jersey Devils. But the Bruins have only allowed 64 goals against in 34 games played. New Jersey has allowed 104 goals against in 36 games played, according to the price per head sports experts. You would think that would indicate that the Bruins will probably stifle the Devils in this game. That may have been the case last season. But this year the Devils are a grinding team that likes to get into the corner and battle for the puck. The Devils have become extremely good at finding the open spot and then getting the puck to that spot. The fortunes for the Devils are improving and the defense is coming around.

When the season began, people shrugged their shoulders when the price per head bookmaking experts made the Bruins one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup in 2012. It just seemed like an old habit to make the defending champion one of the favorites to win it again. But Boston has gone out of its way to show the rest of the league that not only are the Bruins a legitimate Cup contender this season, but it looks like the road to the Stanley Cup finals could go through Boston this year. The Bruins continue to battle the Chicago Blackhawks for the top position in the league and it does not look like Boston will be ready to break off from that battle any time soon.

New Jersey Devils
By January 4 of 2011, the Devils had a replacement head coach and were winning games in bunches. As soon as Jacques Lemaire left New Jersey, you could hear the air come out of the building. The Devils started the season struggling. But a 5 dimes review of the team’s performance late last week showed a record of 7-3-0 in a stretch of 10 games. The Devils are playing much better defense and are skating on offense. After a sluggish start, hall of fame goaltender Martin Brodeur has found his groove and has even gotten his swagger back. Brodeur has been gunning for open nets late in games and is intent upon scoring another goal. He may not get his chance in this game.

Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins finished last week with an amazing 8-2-0 run in 10 games that included a seven-game winning streak. Not only are the Bruins keeping the NHL scores low for its opponents, but it is also third on the team scoring list with 121 goals. The Bruins are on a roll that looks like it may not stop until late-May.

The Bottom Line
The Devils still have a long way to go before it can climb back into playoff contention. but it definitely has the talent to get the job done. But the Bruins have just been on fire lately and it does not look like Boston can do anything wrong when they step on the ice.

Pick: Boston Bruins

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