This is an 8* SITUATIONAL TOP TOTAL on the UNDER Bruins/Utah.

Both teams have started off the season well, and each has played to several higher-scoring games, but I'm expecting more of a defensive battle here on Saturday.

Boston is 3-2, and Utah is 3-1-1.

The Bruins are off the 5-3 win over Colorado, while Utah is off a 5-4 loss to Anaheim.

Note though that dating to last year the Bruins have interestingly seen the total dip below the posted number in four of their last five off a road win as an underdog.

Despite who gets the start in net, the overall situation, combined with the numbers/trends all point to a much tighter and lower-scoring battle in my opinion.

I'm expecting a tightly-checked, lower-scoring UNDER as far as the total is concerned in this one.

Good luck, NP