by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2023
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
Where to watch: TVAS, SN1, SNW, SNP, NESN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Bruins -125, Flames +105
FanDuel: Bruins -134, Flames +112
BetMGM: Bruins -120, Flames +100
Caesars: Bruins -125, Flames +105
Season record
Bruins: 46-8-5
Flames: 27-21-12
The All-Star break is over, the second half of the NHL season can officially begin, and we're bound for what should be a very exciting second half of the hockey season. Basketball and hockey are about to rule the roost in the sports betting world once the Super Bowl is done with, and we should all be very excited for what's to come. When the trade deadline hits and players switch teams, you know things are about to get hectic over these final 30 games or so. One way you can stay tuned with the action is following what our champion handicappers are doing in the world of the NHL. Look at ASA, Inc., reeling in a $6,750 profit off a 17-9-0 run. Al McMordie is also doing well on the ice with a 13-5-0 run and a net profit of $6,050. Scott Rickenbach has also been hanging strong with a lot of betting action, in what's been an unusual year, with a 24-18-0 run and reeling in $5,950. You know this action is going to be great now that games are back and a busy second half if on the horizon. All you need to do is head to our BEST BETS page at bigal.com to find out all of what we're trying to tell you. Make sure you're locked in at bigal.com and go to our Best Bets page to find out what our champion handicappers have to say in the world of the NHL!
Bruins - Flames preview, prediction and analysis
The Boston Bruins will be playing the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, February 28 in Calgary.
The Boston Bruins won against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, February 27 at Rogers Place in Edmonton with a score of 3-2. The Boston Bruins currently rank 1st in the Atlantic Division.
Tomas Nosek, Nick Foligno and Pavel Zacha scored for the Bruins (46-8-5). Jeremy Swayman made 22 saves, and Dmitry Orlov got his first two assists since being acquired from the Washington Capitals in a three-team trade on Thursday.
"We're lucky that have four lines that can play and six 'D' every night," Boston coach Jim Montgomery said. "They're playing 11 forwards, but we can just roll out our lines. They have the match-up they wanted because they got last change, but we're OK with our fourth line being out there against McDavid."
Connor McDavid gave the Oilers a 1-0 lead at 2:17 of the first period. He received a stretch pass from Leon Draisaitl and scored five-hole from the left face-off circle. Nosek scored 13 second later to tie it 1-1, lifting a shot over Skinner's glove after the puck was redirected in front by Garnet Hathaway along the goal line.
Foligno put the Bruins ahead 2-1 at 15:06, finishing a give-and-go with Charlie Coyle.
"I think we're proud of our process and what's it's allowed us to do and be where we are, but I still think there's room to grow," Foligno said. "I still think there are little areas we can get better in. I'm not trying to sound tacky, it's just the reality of our team. I don't think anyone is satisfied here. I think we're really excited about our group, but I think we all know there is more to do. That's the mindset that's allowed us to have the success we've had."
McDavid tied it 2-2 at 12:20 of the second period during a 4-on-4. Klim Kostin won a race to beat out an icing and centered the puck to McDavid, who deked Swayman before tucking the puck into the open net.
Zacha put the Bruins back in front 3-2 at 19:30 of the second when he dove to knock the puck in over Skinner, who had attempted a poke check.
Boston limited Edmonton to eight shots in the third period to preserve the win.
"You win games in the third period. You understand that and you take pride in that," Swayman said. "That's something that you want to keep as an identity for our team, and we just have a little bit more to give. We all know it, and it's pretty special when we see it."
The Boston Bruins have won eight of their last 10 games.
The Calgary Flames lost against the Colorado Avalanche last Saturday, February 25 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado with a score of 4-1. The Calgary Flames currently rank 5th in the Pacific Division.
Nazem Kadri had an assist for the Flames (27-21-12) in his first game in Colorado since winning the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche last season. Jacob Markstrom made 18 saves.
"Obviously, they came out and scored on their first couple shots. So obviously a hot start, and it's tough to recover after that," Kadri said. "I felt like we showed some pushback, but at the end of the day it just wasn't enough."
Colorado scored three goals before Tyler Toffoli cut the lead to 3-1 with his own power-play goal at 17:20 when his angled shot from below the goal line caromed off the extended skate of Georgiev. It was his 25th goal of the season.
"Obviously, they had a really good first period against us," Calgary coach Darryl Sutter said. "We had a lot of good chances, so it could have been closer, that's for sure."
Denis Malgin scored the final goal of the game, giving Colorado the win with a score of 4-1.
The Calgary Flames have won three of their last 10 games.
Prediction
It really shouldn't matter where the Bruins play, or even when. You want me to trust the Flames over them right now? Bruins 4, Flames 2
The Boston Bruins won against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, February 27 at Rogers Place in Edmonton with a score of 3-2. The Boston Bruins currently rank 1st in the Atlantic Division.
Tomas Nosek, Nick Foligno and Pavel Zacha scored for the Bruins (46-8-5). Jeremy Swayman made 22 saves, and Dmitry Orlov got his first two assists since being acquired from the Washington Capitals in a three-team trade on Thursday.
"We're lucky that have four lines that can play and six 'D' every night," Boston coach Jim Montgomery said. "They're playing 11 forwards, but we can just roll out our lines. They have the match-up they wanted because they got last change, but we're OK with our fourth line being out there against McDavid."
Connor McDavid gave the Oilers a 1-0 lead at 2:17 of the first period. He received a stretch pass from Leon Draisaitl and scored five-hole from the left face-off circle. Nosek scored 13 second later to tie it 1-1, lifting a shot over Skinner's glove after the puck was redirected in front by Garnet Hathaway along the goal line.
Foligno put the Bruins ahead 2-1 at 15:06, finishing a give-and-go with Charlie Coyle.
"I think we're proud of our process and what's it's allowed us to do and be where we are, but I still think there's room to grow," Foligno said. "I still think there are little areas we can get better in. I'm not trying to sound tacky, it's just the reality of our team. I don't think anyone is satisfied here. I think we're really excited about our group, but I think we all know there is more to do. That's the mindset that's allowed us to have the success we've had."
McDavid tied it 2-2 at 12:20 of the second period during a 4-on-4. Klim Kostin won a race to beat out an icing and centered the puck to McDavid, who deked Swayman before tucking the puck into the open net.
Zacha put the Bruins back in front 3-2 at 19:30 of the second when he dove to knock the puck in over Skinner, who had attempted a poke check.
Boston limited Edmonton to eight shots in the third period to preserve the win.
"You win games in the third period. You understand that and you take pride in that," Swayman said. "That's something that you want to keep as an identity for our team, and we just have a little bit more to give. We all know it, and it's pretty special when we see it."
The Boston Bruins have won eight of their last 10 games.
The Calgary Flames lost against the Colorado Avalanche last Saturday, February 25 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado with a score of 4-1. The Calgary Flames currently rank 5th in the Pacific Division.
Nazem Kadri had an assist for the Flames (27-21-12) in his first game in Colorado since winning the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche last season. Jacob Markstrom made 18 saves.
"Obviously, they came out and scored on their first couple shots. So obviously a hot start, and it's tough to recover after that," Kadri said. "I felt like we showed some pushback, but at the end of the day it just wasn't enough."
Colorado scored three goals before Tyler Toffoli cut the lead to 3-1 with his own power-play goal at 17:20 when his angled shot from below the goal line caromed off the extended skate of Georgiev. It was his 25th goal of the season.
"Obviously, they had a really good first period against us," Calgary coach Darryl Sutter said. "We had a lot of good chances, so it could have been closer, that's for sure."
Denis Malgin scored the final goal of the game, giving Colorado the win with a score of 4-1.
The Calgary Flames have won three of their last 10 games.
Prediction
It really shouldn't matter where the Bruins play, or even when. You want me to trust the Flames over them right now? Bruins 4, Flames 2
Betting trends
Bruins are 22-3 in their second game in 5 days this season.
Bruins are 20-4 in non-conference games this season.
Flames are 3-7 in February.
Flames are 11-18 in non-conference games this season.
Projected lines
Bruins:
Brad Marchand -- Patrice Bergeron -- Jake DeBrusk
Pavel Zacha -- David Krejci -- David Pastrnak
Nick Foligno -- Charlie Coyle -- Trent Frederic
A.J. Greer -- Tomas Nosek -- Garnet Hathaway
Dmitry Orlov -- Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm -- Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort -- Connor Clifton
Linus Ullmark
Brad Marchand -- Patrice Bergeron -- Jake DeBrusk
Pavel Zacha -- David Krejci -- David Pastrnak
Nick Foligno -- Charlie Coyle -- Trent Frederic
A.J. Greer -- Tomas Nosek -- Garnet Hathaway
Dmitry Orlov -- Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm -- Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort -- Connor Clifton
Linus Ullmark
Flames:
Dillon Dube -- Elias Lindholm -- Tyler Toffoli
Jakob Pelletier -- Nazem Kadri -- Jonathan Huberdeau
Andrew Mangiapane -- Mikael Backlund -- Blake Coleman
Milan Lucic -- Trevor Lewis -- Walker Duehr
Noah Hanifin -- Rasmus Andersson
MacKenzie Weegar -- Chris Tanev
Nikita Zadorov -- Dennis Gilbert
Jacob Markstrom
Dillon Dube -- Elias Lindholm -- Tyler Toffoli
Jakob Pelletier -- Nazem Kadri -- Jonathan Huberdeau
Andrew Mangiapane -- Mikael Backlund -- Blake Coleman
Milan Lucic -- Trevor Lewis -- Walker Duehr
Noah Hanifin -- Rasmus Andersson
MacKenzie Weegar -- Chris Tanev
Nikita Zadorov -- Dennis Gilbert
Jacob Markstrom
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
