The Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals is going to be a cannot miss tonight. The two teams are coming off of an amazing over time game two nights ago, which resulted in the first loss for either team this season.
There is a relatively small NHL slate tonight, so you will absolutely want to tune in to see the rematch of the Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals.
Game Time – 7:00 p.m. ET
Odds – MoneyLine: BOS (-145) WAS (+145) | PuckLine: BOS -1.5 (+170) WAS +1.5 (-200) | Total: 5.5 – Over (-120) Under (even)
Bruins Look to Avenge First Loss of Season
The Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals provides us with an extremely compelling matchup between teams with a combined eleven wins and just one loss.
The one loss, which belongs to the Bruins, came two nights ago just 28 seconds into OT off the stick of Alex Ovechkin.
Tukka Rask was not at his best in that game, allowing four goals on 23 shots. Tonight the Capitals will have to contend with Jaroslav Halak, who has been extraordinary in his three appearances this season.
Washington Capitals Rely Heavily on Goaltending
The Capitals have gotten some extraordinary play between the pipes themselves this season from an unlikely contender in Vitek Vanecek.
The Rookie has started seven of nine games for the Caps this season after starter Ilya Samsonov dealt with injury problems followed by Covid protocol. In those seven games he posted five wins with a .918 SV% with a 2.78 GAA. While those numbers are good on their own, they become much more impressive when you factor in how many total saves he has had to make.
Vanecek has made 233 saves in total this season, which breaks down to an average of over 33 per game. That is higher, in both categories, than almost any other goalie in the NHL this season.
All Signs Point to the Under
This is not my official best bet of the article, but I do like the under here. My reasoning is because of the aforementioned goaltenders and the show I expect them to put on tonight, but also because the Bruins continue to struggle to score on any goaltender.
Boston has picked it up on the offensive side of the puck as of late, but they still float in the middle of the league (17th) as far as scoring average.
The total is 5.5 right now, with the under at even. Since you have room to work, I would recommend teasing the total up to 6 and taking the under. It should still be somewhere around -130.
The Bruins Will Avenge First Loss of Season
The Bruins are on the road here, but the home Caps nearly blew a 3-0 lead last game, and then squeaked out a win in OT. I think the Bruins are going to come out ready to play, and ready to get even.
The Capitals have to lose a game eventually. Five of their last seven games have gone to overtime. They have been cutting it very very close and relying very heavily on a rookie goaltender. One of these nights, it’s all going to give. I think tonight is that night.
Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals Best Bet
Pick – Boston Bruins ML (-145)
Optional Additional Picks: Under 5.5 (even) OR u6 (-132)
