The Boston Bruins allowed four goals in the opening game of the Stanley Cup final, but it’s quite likely that won’t happen again tonight in Game 2.
The Bruins, who pride themselves on defence, have quite the track record of tightening the vices after allowing four goals or more in a game.
Boston gave up four-plus goals 10 times during the regular season. Eight of those times, the Bruins held their opponents to three goals or less the following game. Seven of those times, Boston allowed two goals or less.
Following a 4-3 loss March 5, the B’s didn’t allow four goals in a game for 11 straight contests.
The trend has held true in the playoffs as well. Boston has given up four goals three times this postseason, bouncing back to allow 1, 2 and 2 goals in their next contests — all victories.
There’s no doubt Claude Julien isn’t happy with the way his team played defensively last game, particularly the way they blew a two-goal lead in the third period. That just doesn’t happen often with the Bruins, and we’re sure it won’t happen tonight.
The over/under on tonight’s Game 2 is posted at 5, though it is heavily juiced to the under (-140). The Bruins are +140 underdogs at Sportsinteraction and are given +210 odds to win the series at 5Dimes.