The Boston Bruins are reeling – and based on recent trends, they’re not in great position to turn the tide as they tangle with the host Washington Capitals on Wednesday night. The Bruins are mired in their second three-game losing streak of the season, and have incredibly lost 15 of their previous 16 games against the Capitals dating back to the spring of 2014.
- Date/Time: December 11, 7 p.m. ET
- Arena: Capital One Arena
- TV Coverage: TVAS, NBCSN
- Sportsbook Odds: Boston +111 / Washington -123 | O/U 6
- Bruins vs Capitals Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Bruins opened as rare underdogs at +111, but a flood of Boston money bumped the visitors to +102 in short order. The total opened at 6.
Boston News & Notes
The highs and lows of the NHL season mean that every team will go through what the Bruins are presently enduring – but there could be trouble signs beyond Boston’s current three-game skid. The Bruins have surrendered 13 goals in those losses, which brings back memories of a four-game streak earlier this season during which Boston allowed 17 goals.
And Boston’s latest defensive struggles might not even be this team’s biggest concern. With a 5-2 loss in Ottawa on Monday, the Bruins have now scored three or fewer goals in seven straight games, averaging 2.29 goals per game over that span. Only two players – Jake DeBrusk and Chris Wagner – have scored more than once through the Bruins’ first five December games.
Washington News & Notes
There hasn’t been much rhyme or reason for the Capitals’ half-decade of dominance over Boston – but the hosts would gladly take an extension of that trend after playing one of their worst games of the season last time out. Washington dropped a 5-2 decision to the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets, falling behind less than 3 1/2 minutes in while allowing a whopping 38 shots in defeat.
But unlike the Bruins’ recent performances, the loss to the Blue Jackets feels more like a blip for a Washington team that was coming off an impressive four-game road sweep. The Capitals have lost two straight games just once since the first full week of the season, and have earned at least one point in 27 of their first 32 games.
Betting Pick: UNDER
The past two Boston-Washington matchups produced a total of six goals; with the Bruins expected to place an added emphasis on addressing their shaky defense and goaltending, we feel confident in a third straight UNDER between these clubs.
- Washington is 15-1 SU in its last 16 games vs Boston.
- Boston is 4-1 SU in its previous 5 road games.
- The UNDER is 5-2 in Boston’s last 7 games.
