Capitals vs Bruins Odds & Picks: Boston Tries To Bounce Back From Brutal Loss

The Boston Bruins (22-12-2) will try to get back on track Thursday when they host the Washington Capitals (22-9-9) as small home favorites at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. Boston saw its season-high five-game winning streak come to an end on Tuesday in a 7-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals vs Bruins prediction for this one gives the home team a big edge over the visitors based on their recent matchup history.

Capitals vs Bruins Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

Boston seems to be in better form right now, which is why the team has been bet up to -150 in early wagering. However, the goaltending situation for the Bruins is questionable with veteran Tuukka Rask back in the fold. Rask has been shaky at best in his brief return to the ice following a terrible outing against Carolina, and this figures to be a spot for Linus Ullmark to get the call instead. This is critical info, so make sure you know who the starting goaltenders are and monitor the line movement.

Get the best Capitals vs Bruins odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Capitals Struggling To Win Consistently Since The End Of November

Washington was one of the strongest teams out of the gate, getting off to a blazing 14-3-5 start. However, the Capitals have won just eight games since then, winning as many as two games in a row twice during that stretch.

The good news for them is that they have lost more than two straight games only once over that period as well, suffering through a season-long four-game skid between January 2 and 10.

All this while future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin leads the league in points (55) and goals (27) at the ripe old age of 36. Ovechkin has been a model of consistency in his entire 17-year career with the team, and the offense sometimes becomes overly reliant on his production. This is one of the reasons the Capitals vs Bruins prediction has them losing this game.

Bruins Hoping Rask’s Last Start Is Not A Sign Of Things To Come

Boston is trying not to ask too much of Rask, who has made just two starts this season. Rask’s latest outing since he rejoined the Bruins was very ugly, though, as he surrendered five goals to the Hurricanes on 12 shots in the first period before getting pulled in favor of Ullmark.

The 28-year-old Ullmark leads the Bruins in wins with 13 in 19 starts while 23-year-old prospect Jeremy Swayman has a better goals-against average (2.26) and save percentage (.918) but was demoted to AHL affiliate Providence to make room for the 34-year-old Rask.

Boston may have made a poor decision in bringing Rask back, but time will tell. For now, any Capitals vs Bruins pick should wait to see who is in net first.

Capitals vs Bruins Pick & Insights

Capitals: Keys To Victory

Washington must continue to get other players to fill out the scoresheet besides Ovechkin, who came through with his NHL-leading 27th goal in the first period of Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime victory against the Winnipeg Jets. Tom Wilson scored the game-Sportsbook in OT and also had an assist. If others like Wilson can step up, then the Capitals vs Bruins prediction for this game may be wrong and may turn out to see the visitors as victors.

Bruins: Keys To Victory

Boston was playing its best hockey of the season before adding Rask, so head coach Bruce Cassidy must be careful not to rock the boat. Cassidy should always do what is best for his team, and wagering on the Capitals vs Bruins prediction that favors the home team should be based on another goalie starting between the pipes for the home team.

Odds Shark’s Computer Capitals vs Bruins Prediction: Bruins ML (-150)

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