Right now, Boston and Arizona are powerful on defense. And defense wins championships.

Keep your eye on some defensive-minded NHL teams in big stretches over the next two weeks. Defenses win championships, and two teams got the memo to crack down as we approach the one-third mark of the season.

1. The Boston Bruins entered the week at an insane 19-3-5 with a 10-game unbeaten streak. Boston has given up a league best 65 goals against.
2. The Bruins have a chance to fatten up even more this week, hosting the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche.
3. The following week, the Bruins hit the road for four more. The Bruins have been hitting the under betting total a lot. Solid goaltending, tight checking and back-checking from the forwards have made them tough to beat, especially if they score first. The question is whether they are peaking early.

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4. The Arizona Coyotes also fashion strong defense, with just 67 goals allowed. This is an unusual achievement for the team. The Coyotes are 15-9-4 and face four straight road games that will test whether this accomplishment is real or a mirage.
5. Arizona will play at Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks. It could be a little vulnerable during this stretch. And then they come home for three games the following week.

The NHL defensive styles continue to kick in. Many games are landing on five or six goals. And, what a surprise, that’s where the over-under lines usually are. Look for teams playing back-to-back road games or engaged in a long road trip to see an opening for high-scoring games.

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