The Boston Bruins will look for their sixth win in their last seven contests Friday night when they visit the struggling Calgary Flames as early -120 betting favorites at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
The Bruins saw a five-game win streak end Wednesday with a 3-2 shootout against the Edmonton Oilers.
It has been a streaky campaign for Boston, which enters Friday night’s Bruins vs. Flames betting matchup at Scotiabank Saddledome with 28 points through its first 23 games.
The Bruins endured a pair of three-game losing streaks during the first month of the season, giving up four or more goals on seven occasions to drop near the bottom of the league in team defense.
But the the club has turned things around since losing four of five in early November, winning six of eight to move into third place in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Bruins’ recent strong play also has lifted their slipping odds to win the Stanley Cup, which have recovered to 40/1.
The Flames’ early season struggles have continued, with the club currently sharing the Pacific Division basement with the Oilers with just 20 points through 25 games after winning 45 contests last season to end a five-year playoff drought.
Calgary is coming off a 4-3 win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night, ending a three-game losing slide. However, the Flames have struggled to post back-to-back wins this season, doing so only twice, and have seen their Stanley Cup odds plummet to 66/1 after opening the season at a respectable 28/1.
Despite their recent woes, the Flames have performed well at home, winning six of their last seven, including victories over the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins, and are winners in their last two overall against Boston and in three of their last five at home.
Boston also will look to reverse a recent losing trend when it faces the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.
The Bruins have just one victory in five games against the Canucks since their Game 7 win in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. However, Vancouver has recorded just four wins during the month of November.
Thumbnail photo via Perry Nelson/USA TODAY Sports Images
