- The Boston University Terriers are -154 moneyline favorites over the Penn State Nittany Lions on Thursday night
- BU is making its third straight Frozen Four appearance, while Penn State is playing on this stage for the first time
- See my BU vs Penn State prediction and best bets for Thursday’s Frozen Four game below
It’s a classic case of Frozen Four mainstay versus newcomer as the Boston University Terriers square off with the Penn State Nittany Lions in Thursday night’s second semifinal. The Terriers are making their third consecutive trip to college hockey’s biggest stage and 25th overall. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions are Frozen Four first-timers in just their 13th season as a Division I program.
BU (23-13-2) and PSU (22-13-4) will face each other for the first time ever with a spot in the national championship game on the line. The puck drops at 8:30 p.m. ET at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, with the game televised on ESPN2.
Online sportsbooks have BU as solid favorites on the Frozrn Four betting odds board. Let’s break down the matchup and make our Boston University vs Penn State prediction for this Frozen Four clash.
Penn State vs Boston University Prediction
The Terriers have been on a mission since getting stunned by UConn in the Hockey East semifinals, rebounding with dominant wins over Ohio State and Cornell to punch their ticket to St. Louis. Freshman goalie Mikhail Yegorov has been a revelation, posting a .931 save percentage that ranks seventh in the nation.
BU’s elite talent was on full display in the regionals, with the dynamic Hutson brothers leading the way. Junior Quinn Hutson had the overtime winner against Cornell and is tied for second nationally with 1.39 points per game. Freshman Cole Hutson tops all NCAA defensemen at 1.24 points per game and all rookies with 46 points.
Penn State has been the Cinderella story of this tournament, going from the last team in to the Frozen Four. Sophomore Aiden Fink (23 G, 30 A) and freshman Charlie Cerrato (15 G, 27 A) have paced the offense. Goalie Arsenii Sergeev, a UConn transfer, has a .918 save percentage.
But the Nittany Lions are at a major disadvantage in high-end skill and big-game experience. BU has 13 NHL draft picks compared to just three seventh-rounders for PSU. The Terriers also have a huge size edge as the 4th-biggest team in the country.
Penn State vs BU Pick
Based on my Frozen Four betting prediction, my top pick is Boston University on the moneyline at -154 odds. The Terriers simply have too much firepower and experience for the Nittany Lions to overcome.
BU’s massive edge in NHL talent, with 13 draft picks including two first-rounders, gives them a significant skill advantage. Freshman goalie Mikhail Yegorov has been stellar between the pipes, posting a .931 save percentage that ranks seventh nationally.
The Terriers also boast dynamic scoring from the Hutson brothers, with Quinn averaging 1.39 points per game and Cole leading all defensemen at 1.24. BU’s top-five power play (28.4%) should be able to exploit Penn State’s middling penalty kill. Plus, the Terriers’ size advantage as the fourth-biggest team in the country could wear down the Nittany Lions.
While Penn State’s Cinderella run has been impressive, I believe they’re overmatched against an experienced, talented BU squad that seems destined for the national title game. Lay the -154 moneyline price on the Terriers to advance.
Bu vs Penn State Odds
| Bet Type | Boston University | Penn State |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -154 | +120 |
| Puck Line | -1.5 (+154) | +1.5 (-200) |
| Total Goals | Over 6.5 (-125) | Under 6.5 (-105) |
The Frozen Four odds have BU as -154 moneyline favorites, implying a 60.6% win probability. The Terriers are +154 to cover the -1.5 puck line. The total is set at 6.5 goals, juiced to the Over at -125.
Odds as of April 10 at DraftKings. Check out SBD’s DraftKings sportsbook review for available sign-up bonuses.
I agree with oddsmakers here in backing BU on the moneyline. The Terriers are peaking at the right time, with their high-powered offense humming and Yegorov locked in between the pipes. Coach Jay Pandolfo has been here before, reaching the Frozen Four in all three of his seasons at the helm.
Penn State deserves immense credit for its historic run. But I think the Nittany Lions are overmatched in this spot against a bigger, faster, more talented BU squad. The +1.5 puck line is tempting for PSU backers. It could be a decent same-game parlay piece, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a standalone bet.
Give me the Terriers to keep marching toward their first national title since 2009. Lay the -154 juice and watch BU’s firepower prove too much for the Penn State Cinderella story to overcome.
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The Frozen Four is one of the most exciting events in college hockey, and this year’s semi-final matchup between Penn State and Boston University is sure to be a thrilling game. Both teams have had strong seasons and are coming into the game with high hopes of advancing to the championship game.
Penn State has had a standout season, finishing with a 24-11-2 record and earning the top seed in the Midwest region of the NCAA tournament. The Nittany Lions have been led by their dynamic offense, which is averaging 3.65 goals per game, good for seventh in the nation. Their top scorer, Alex Limoges, has tallied 22 goals and 26 assists on the season, while goaltender Peyton Jones has been solid between the pipes with a .918 save percentage.
Boston University, on the other hand, finished the season with a 21-13-4 record and earned an at-large bid to the tournament. The Terriers have been led by their balanced scoring attack, with six players recording double-digit goals on the season. Forward Patrick Harper leads the team with 37 points, while goaltender Jake Oettinger has been stellar in net with a .926 save percentage.
In terms of predictions, this game is shaping up to be a close one. Both teams have strong offenses and solid goaltending, so it could come down to which team can capitalize on their opportunities and play solid defense. Penn State may have the edge in terms of overall talent and depth, but Boston University has shown that they can compete with anyone on any given night.
As for the odds, Penn State is currently listed as a slight favorite to win the game, with odds of -130. Boston University is the underdog with odds of +110. This means that a $130 bet on Penn State would win $100, while a $100 bet on Boston University would win $110.
Overall, this promises to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams. Fans can expect a fast-paced game with plenty of scoring chances and great goaltending. It’s anyone’s game at this point, but one thing is for sure – it’s going to be a game you won’t want to miss.
