The Washington Capitals (+220) head to face the Boston Bruins (-270), who will be out to add to their winning streak, at TD Garden on Tuesday. The total is 6.5 (O: +100, U: -120)Washington (35-36-9) is playing on back-to-back days after earning a 5-2 win over the Islanders yesterday, ending a six-game losing streak.
The Capitals committed four penalties in the game, though they held New York without a power play goal. Dylan Strome was the top goalscorer for the Capitals with two goals. Darcy Kuemper had a great performance with 38 saves (.950%) in the win.
Boston (63-12-5) won for the sixth straight game, beating the Flyers 5-3 on Sunday. David Pastrnak scored a hat trick to lead the Bruins. Jeremy Swayman had 34 saves.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have split their two meetings this season, the most recent of which was a 2-1 victory for the Capitals in February. Nicklas Backstrom and Garnet Hathaway were on the scoresheet for Washington. Nick Foligno scored Boston’s only goal. Kuemper got the win, saving 27 of 28 shots (.964%).
FACING OFF
Washington is averaging 3.09 goals per game for the season, 20th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Bruins team that is allowing only 2.10 goals a game (1st).
Meanwhile, Boston has found the net 3.64 times a game on average, second in the league, and the Capitals are allowing opponents to score 3.14 goals per game (17th).
Expect multiple power play opportunities for the Capitals, as the Bruins have been penalized 4.39 times a game, fifth-most in the NHL, for an average of 10.55 minutes (ninth-highest).
The visitors are averaging 3.60 penalties (19th) and 8.72 penalty minutes a game (13th). The Bruins’ 22.14% power play percentage ranks 11th in the league, while the Capitals are 17th with a conversion rate of 21.07%. Boston has been more impressive at penalty killing, boasting the league’s highest PK% at 87.41%. Washington ranks sixth at 82.88%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 74 points this season, Alex Ovechkin is the top skater for the Capitals. He is among the league leaders with 42 goals (8th) and has added 32 assists. In the net, Kuemper (22-26-6) is Washington’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 2.82 GAA and a .909% save percentage. Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring with 109 points (4th in the league). He has 60 goals (2nd in the league) and 49 assists in 80 games. Linus Ullmark (39-6-1) has the best goals against average for Boston at 1.89, best in the league. He has a save percentage of .938%, also best.
HOME AND AWAY
Washington is looking to avoid a sixth straight defeat away from Capital One Arena this season. Boston has won three straight at TD Garden this season. Meanwhile, the Capitals are 2-8 without a day off and 1-5 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Bruins are 7-1 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Boston Bruins (-350)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
