The Boston Bruins haven’t been in too many slumps over the past few seasons, but they’re certainly in one now.
The Bruins have lost four in a row and their 1-3-2 slide since the NHL All-Star Game has allowed the Florida Panthers to usurp their perch at the top of the Atlantic Division.
Boston will look to salvage its seven-game homestand with a win over the surging Dallas Stars on Monday.
The Bruins are small home favorites for the matinee contest.
Every team goes through ebbs and flows over the course of an 82-game schedule, but it is surprising to see the Bruins struggling in this stretch of schedule.
Boston has been home for every game since the break and it’s not like the Bruins have played a murderers’ row of competition.
This should have been an opportunity for the Bruins to pad their lead in the division and conference, but uninspiring losses to the Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken and Washington Capitals have spoiled that opportunity.
While Boston has dipped since All-Star Weekend, the Stars have gone in the opposite direction.
Dallas is 7-1-2 in its last 10 games and has put some separation between itself and the Colorado Avalanche in the Central Division.
The Stars’ recent form has earned them plenty of praise, but the truth is that this team has looked like a Stanley Cup contender for most of the season.
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Dallas ranks inside the top five in expected goals rate, high-danger scoring chance percentage and goal difference at five-on-five and Dallas is top 10 in power play and penalty kill.
There will come a time to buy low on the Bruins, but this isn’t it.
Back the Stars as an underdog Monday afternoon.
THE PLAY: Stars (+106, FanDuel)