Here are The Game Day’s Capitals vs Bruins series prediction and bets for the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, including our Washington-Boston Round 1 preview.
In case you missed it: Check out our 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs Power Rankings and 2021 Stanley Cup Winner Odds and Best Bets.
Washington Capitals vs Boston Bruins Prediction: 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Bet Picks Preview
Capitals vs Bruins Schedule
Game 1: Saturday, May 15, 7:15 p.m. ET
Game 2: Monday, May 17, 7:30 p.m. ET
Game 3: Wednesday, May 19, 6:30 p.m. ET
Game 4: Friday, May 21, 6:30 p.m. ET
Game 5: Sunday, May 23, TBD
Game 6: Tuesday, May 25, TBD
Game 7: Thursday, May 27, TBD
Washington Capitals Season Recap
It seems like the Washington Capitals are always in the conversation for a Stanley Cup. After battling for the East Division’s No. 1 seed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the closing weeks and despite ending up with 77 points, the Capitals will head into the playoffs as one the strongest two-seeds in the entire bracket.
Alexander Ovechkin continued to do his thing this past season, notching 42 points in just 45 games played. The Capitals have an excellent supporting cast of centers Nicklas Backstrom (54 points) and T.J. Oshie (43 points) as well as defenseman John Carlson (34 assists). Goalie Vitek Vanecek, just 25 years old, put together a solid season for the Capitals, posting a .908 save percentage.
Boston Bruins Season Recap
The Boston Bruins are always an excellent squad and this season was no different as they ended with 73 points, just four behind the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals. Right winger Brad Marchand had an amazing season for Boston, notching 69 points (40 assists), and veteran Patrice Bergeron posted 48 points of his own.
The Bruins figure to have Tuukka Rask as their number one despite some season-long theatrics, which gives them an enormous edge in the goaltending department considering his status as one of the league’s best (.913 save percentage).
Washington Capitals vs Boston Bruins Matchup
This is poised to be one of the best series of the first round. The Capitals and Bruins are evenly matched with their star power, but each team has an advantage over the other in a clear way. The presence of Tuukka Rask for the Boston Bruins gives them a quite obvious edge in the goaltending aspect of things, for example.
Both teams held a similar goal differential this season with the Capitals having a +28 and the Bruins having a +32.
The Capitals and Bruins are similar in terms of veteran experience and star power considering both teams are consistently in the playoffs every year — this is a premier organizational matchup.
Washington Capitals vs Boston Bruins Prediction & Bet Pick
Capitals vs Bruins Series Prediction
Boston Bruins in 7 games
Capitals vs Bruins Bet Pick
Boston Bruins to win series (-130) at BetMGM
Capitals vs Bruins Bet Pick Analysis
This series will be one that is hard-fought, and it would be thoroughly surprising to see this one end in short order. I see this series going six or seven games easily. These teams know each other well considering it is a divisional matchup, and this series could get gritty and scrappy. This is one to watch.
