I expect Boston’s defensive depth to show through as a big advantage here, and I feel that the Bruins are likely to control more of the play at 5-on-5 and make it a tough game for McDavid and Draisaitl.

Boston has posted spectacular results every year under coach Bruce Cassidy and is off to a very strong start again this season. The Bruins are 6-4-0, having played some very stiff competition and owning the league’s best expected goals for percentage (xGF%) mark at 57.54.


With home-ice advantage and therefore last change, Cassidy will be able to keep their elite two defensive pairings against McDavid and Draisaitl, as well as the perfection line, which has consistently shut down the opposition’s top units over a sample size of multiple seasons.

I also feel that Ullmark offers an advantage compared to Koskinen with regards to the starting goaltenders, even if in the early going this season the numbers wouldn’t give that indication.

I see value in backing Boston at home to stay undefeated on their home ice on Thursday night.