Predators vs. Bruins Prediction, NHL Odds & Best Bets (10/22)

Fact checked at 9:01 AM ET, Oct 22, 2026

Odds as of Oct 22, 8:58 AM ET

Boston comes home at 7-2-1 after a four-game trip worth seven of a possible eight points, and the only miss was Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss in Dallas. The Bruins have allowed 22 goals in 10 games. That's 2.2 a game, one of the four lowest rates in the league, and Jeremy Swayman (6-1-1, 1.98 goals-against average, .928 save percentage) has been in net for eight of those 10. At home they're 3-1-0, and every home win came by at least two: 3-0 over the Rangers, 6-1 over Utah, 5-1 over Philadelphia.

Nashville shows up at 3-2-3 with 23 goals in eight games, 2.88 a game and 22nd in the league. The Predators don't generate much. They average 24.4 shots, seventh-fewest, and they've scored two or fewer in five of eight. They haven't played since Saturday's 5-2 win over St. Louis, and this is the first of three games in four nights. Mavrik Bourque (upper body) has missed four straight but practiced fully on Wednesday, and coach Andrew Brunette said he hoped Bourque would be back "soon, if it's not" in Boston. Juuse Saros (3-2-2, 2.82, .907) has started all but one game.

Boston is a -155 favorite, and the puck drops Thursday at 7:00 PM ET at TD Garden.

We think Boston's goaltending and defense hold Nashville to two goals or fewer and the Bruins pull away by two. Both picks need that game. The thing most likely to wreck it is Nashville's power play, third in the league at 29.6%, against a Boston penalty kill running at 80%.

Predators vs. Bruins Predictions

• Pick #1: Bruins -1.5 (+160)
• Pick #2: Predators Team Total Under 2.5 Goals (+100)

PICK #1: Bruins -1.5 (+160)

Six of Boston's 10 games have been wins by two or more, including all three at TD Garden. Nashville's pattern fits: both of its regulation losses were by two or more (3-1 to Minnesota, 5-2 to Vegas), and the other three went past regulation. A +160 price puts Boston's chance of covering at 38.5%, and the Bruins have done it 60% of the time.

The larger tickets are on the same side. Boston -1.5 has 74% of the puck-line money on 30% of the bets.

What worries us is how Boston has been winning. The Bruins take 24.9 shots a game and allow 28.0, and 36 goals on 249 shots is a 14.5% conversion rate that probably won't last. Their power play has been blanked in eight of 10 games. Nashville has also picked up points on the road (1-0-2, 11 goals in three games). A one-goal Boston win in regulation or overtime loses this, and a shootout can't cover.

PICK #2: Predators Team Total Under 2.5 Goals (+100)

This is the same game from Nashville's side. The Predators have scored two or fewer in five of eight, and Boston has held opponents to two or fewer in five of 10, four of them in its last six. Nashville doesn't shoot much (24.4 a game) and has converted 11.8% of its shots. At even money, the break-even is 50%.

A few things could beat it. Nashville's power play has eight goals in 27 chances, and its three road games produced four, five and two goals. Both picks leaned on Swayman, and Boston confirmed Thursday morning that Michael DiPietro (1-1-0, .911), who started the other two games, gets the net instead. That makes the case thinner. Books settle team totals differently on overtime and the shootout.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.