This is an 8* on BOSTON

Boston has lost two in a row and was just shut out 3-0 at Columbus on Tuesday. But each of those two losses came on the road. Tuesday was their first time being shut out this season. The Bruins return home Thursday and don't be fooled by the number of defeats (11) they've suffered here in Boston. Nine of those 11 losses have come after regulation. Their two regulation losses are the fewest at home by any team in the league. Now it won't be easy beating Pittsburgh, even in Beantown. But look for the Bruins to do it. We know the Penguins have won four straight, but they've still given up 12 goals in doing so. Three of the four wins came by a score of 4-3, two of them coming beyond regulation. The Penguins record on the road is only 12-7-2. The fact that Pittsburgh scored seven goals on Tuesday (Crosby's first game back) has a bearing on both teams. The Penguins are 2-6 after scoring five or more times in their last game. The Bruins are 8-1 when facing a team that just scored at least five times. Even without goaltender Tuukka Rask, the hosts win this battle of premier teams. Play on BOSTON

AAA