Two years ago, the Boston Bruins were a machine that many NHL observers and gamblers believe should have won the Stanley Cup. Instead, the Bruins blew a seven game Stanley Cup Final on home ice to the St. Louis Blues. Things have not quite been the same since that epic heartbreaker. Three years ago, the Washington Capitals won the first and only Stanley Cup of their franchise history. Then head coach Barry Trotz departed for the New York Islanders hours after that triumph. Since Trotz left town, the Capitals reverted to their lack of structure and inattention to the back end. First year Washington coach Peter Laviolette is slowly fixing that.
Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins
When: Sunday, April 18, 2021, 12 p.m. ET
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: NBC
NHL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins Wagering Analysis
In this matchup, action will split with the NHL betting odds. Boston is one of the most popular teams on the hockey board, with a massive and generational fan base. Washington boasts the greatest goal scorer of the modern era in Alex Ovechkin. The gambling public respects both teams for their perennial contender status.
Caps Acquire Mantha for Secondary Scoring
Washington made the biggest deal of Monday’s trade deadline day, and it was almost at closing time. Right wing Anthony Mantha, age 26, is a fifth year pro acquired from the Detroit Red Wings. He was a 20th pick taking in the 2013 NHL Draft. Mantha is considered to be a 25 goal per season type of player with playmaking ability. This year in 42 games, he scored 11 goals with ten assists on a woeful Red Wings team. His career high for goals was 25 two seasons ago.
Taylor Hall Acquired by Bruins as Damaged Goods
Meanwhile, Boston acquired the 2018 Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall, age 29, from the Buffalo Sabres. Hall was the first player taken in the 2010 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. That 2018 season with the New Jersey Devils was the exception, rather than the rule, to a mediocre career. That year he scored 39 goals with 53 assists. Since then, his best season goal total was 11. This season at a terrible Buffalo Sabres team, Hall scored two goals with 17 assists in 37 games. The Bruins are gambling that Hall will jumpstart his career with a better supporting cast. Further, Boston is desperate for goal scoring help.
The Matchup
The Boston Bruins have lost three of their last five games to stand at 21-12-6. Boston is just four points ahead of the New Yor Rangers for the final playoff spot in the East Division. The Bruins rank a dismal 18th for goals scored. Thus, the Taylor Hall Hail Mary trade.
The Washington Capitals have won four of their last six games. Washington is tied with the New York Islanders first place in the East Division. The Capitals are 27-11-4.
Capitals at Bruins Bookmaker NHL Betting Trends
The Capitals have won four of their last six away games. Five of their previous seven road tilts went over the total.
Boston has dropped four of their last six games on home ice. Three of the Bruins’ previous five home games went over the total.
Boston has won four of their last seven games with the Capitals. Only one of the previous seven games between these teams stayed under the total. But Washington has bossed the payout window at TD Garden. To show, the Capitals came away with the cash in ten of their last 12 games at Boston. Only two of the previous six games between these teams at Boston went over the total.
Capitals at Bruins Free Pick
As mentioned earlier, the Capitals are in better form and do quite well at Boston.
Capitals at Bruins Best Bet: Washington Capitals
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