The Boston Bruins (33-15-7) wrap up the regular season against the Washington Capitals (35-15-5) Tuesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena. Below, we analyze the Bruins-Capitals odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Bruins picked up a 3-2 overtime win against the New York Islanders on Monday, and now they have the quick turnaround on the road against the Capitals.
As luck has it, these two teams will meet each other in the first round of the playoffs, too.
The Capitals earned a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime on Saturday in a well-played game with a pair of backup goaltenders.
Washington has had some COVID and injury issues lately, but they have still persevered with three wins in the past four outings.
Bruins at Capitals: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:25 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Bruins -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Capitals -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Bruins +1.5 (-275) | Capitals -1.5 (+220)
- Over/Under: 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Bruins at Capitals: Projected starting goalies
Jeremy Swayman (7-2-0, 1.44 GAA, .946 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Vitek Vanecek (20-10-4, 2.74 GAA, .907 SV%, 2 SO)
Swayman stopped all 15 shots on goal in a 4-0 shutout win over the New York Rangers his last start in the crease (May 6).
The 22-year-old rookie netminder is 1-0 this season vs. the Capitals and saved 31 of 33 shots in Boston’s 4-2 win in Washington April 8.
Vanecek lost in regulation for the first time in five starts in a 4-2 loss to the Flyers on Friday.
Still, he has allowed three or fewer goals in three straight starts. He is 3-3-0 with a 3.19 GAA and .897 SV% in six starts against the B’s this season.
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Bruins at Capitals: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Capitals 2, Bruins 1
Money line (ML)
The CAPITALS (-110) are worth a look on home ice against the Bruins (-105) in what is essentially a meaningless game. Washington has the home-ice advantage, and is the No. 2 seed, while Boston is locked in at No. 3.
Neither team is likely to show much, as they dial it back and get ready for Game 1 of the playoffs on Saturday. Go lightly on the home side here.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The Bruins +1.5 (-275) would cost you nearly three times your potential return if you wanted a little insurance, and that’s crazy risk for no real reason.
On the flip side, playing the Capitals -1.5 (+220) is tempting, but they still have several players nursing lower-body injuries, including Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson, and there is no reason for them to risk it by playing.
AVOID.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 6 (-120) is the best play on the board here. While the series trends suggest an Over play, with the Over 3-0-1 in the past four and 7-3-1 in the past 11 meetings in D.C., this is a unique game in that neither side is likely to be skating all out.
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