Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals Prediction, NHL Odds
Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference are set to finish their two-game series on Monday when the Boston Bruins face off with the league leading Capitals in Washington.
The Bruins are a -147 moneyline favourite to win on the NHL odds with a total of 5.5.
Bruins vs. Capitals Betting Analysis
Boston has struggled heavily against Washington in the last few years. The Bruins are 2-18 straight up against the Capitals in the last 20 meetings between these teams, including 1-10 SU in their last 11 games in Washington. Boston has struggled to cover the spread at home this year, failing to cover in all four of their road games and going 2-6 against the spread, overall. The Bruins have hit the Over in one of four road games.
The Capitals have been great at home, this season. Washington is 4-0-1 at Capital One Arena, hitting the Over in four of their five home games and seven of nine games overall. The Capitals are 8-1 ATS for the season, covering in all five home games and three of four games on the road.
Boston Bruins
Boston had a huge piece of their lineup return in their overtime loss to the Capitals on Saturday. After missing the first seven games of the season, David Pastrnak made his season debut after off-season hip surgery. Pastrnak, who led the Bruins with 95 points (48G, 47A) last season, had five shots and picked up an assist in just over 20 minutes of ice time. Boston doesn’t seem to plan on easing Pastrnak back into the lineup, as he led all forwards in ice time and was second only to Charlie McAvoy on the team.
The Bruins couldn’t get any puck-luck on Saturday as they outshot Washington 43-23 in the game, but still had to climb back from a 3-0 deficit just to push the game to overtime. Nick Ritchie, Brad Marchand and McAvoy had the goals for Boston, while Patrice Bergeron picked up three assists. Tuukka Rask made 19 saves, recording his first loss of the season.
Washington Capitals
After missing the past four games due to COVID-19 quarantine, Alex Ovechkin showed why he is so important to this Capitals team. Ovechkin scored the overtime winner less than a minute into the extra frame, finishing the night with a goal and an assist. It was Ovechkin’s 708th career goal, tying him with Mike Gartner for seventh all time. Washington has now picked up at least a point in all nine of their games to start the season.
There was no shortage of storylines in this game and one of the more intriguing ones was Zdeno Chara facing the Bruins for the first time since singing in Washington. The longtime Boston captain played more than 20 minutes and blocked six shots. Chara left in the first period after taking a shot to the face, but ended up returning and finishing the game.
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