Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals Betting Preview/Prop Picks
12 October 2022
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 10.461; Washington 11.441
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-145); 6
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-145); Under
Longtime NHL rivals are set to take the ice in Washington, D.C., as the Capitals will host the Boston Bruins. This will be the season opener for each of these teams, and both teams are going to be title contenders again in 2022-23.
Boston is coming into this season with a number of key players on injured reserve, and that’s going to impact this game. The Bruins are still a team that should be in the postseason mix, but this won’t be an easy way to begin the season.
Washington is a franchise that always seems to be in the mix to win the Stanley Cup. The Capitals are also coming into this season with an important player looking to chase down a record.
The Washington Capitals are the moneyline betting favorites in this game at -145 over the Boston Bruins.
Boston Going to Be Physical
If the final preseason game was any indication, the Boston Bruins are going to be on a mission to be more physical this season. Boston recorded 28 hits in that game against New Jersey, and they continue to have some stars leading the offense.
David Pastrnak is one of the most skilled players in the league, and he had two goals in the preseason. Boston is without some key members of the offense, but they will be able to take advantage on the power play.
There is going to be a ton of pressure on goaltender Linus Ullmark this season as he has to find a way to lead the Bruins on defense. Boston wants to play low-scoring games, and Ullmark has to set the tone.
Capitals Want to Score
Washington had a terrific preseason portion of the season, and they were winning games with offense. The Capitals are a team that will be taking shots from all over the ice, and they aren’t afraid to get the defense activated in the offense as well.
Alex Ovechkin continues to set the tone for the Capitals on the offensive end as he is trying to catch Wayne Gretzky on the all-time goal scorers list. Ovechkin is a player that hasn’t slowed down in his old age, and he continues to be hard to stop on the power play.
Washington is going to need to find some defense as the season moves along, but they will be trying to overpower teams on the offensive end of the ice.
Capitals Cruise in Season Opener
There is no doubt that this game is going to be tight throughout, as that is just how this rivalry works. Washington is the better offensive team in this game, but it is Boston that can take over a game on defense.
Boston is going to be one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference at some point, but they just have too many injuries at this time. Washington is coming into this game pretty healthy overall, and the Capitals should have a big day of offense in this one.
Take the Washington Capitals -145 over the Boston Bruins in the season opener on Wednesday night in what should be a thrilling game.
Prop Picks
Boston (+115) UNDER 2.5 Goals
The Capitals allowed an average of 2.95 goals per game last season, which ranked No. 12 in the NHL, while limiting teams to 2,378 shots against, which ranked No. 6.
With Dunkel predicting a Washington win by the score of 3-2, take the Bruins (+115) to finish UNDER 2.5 goals scored against the Capitals.
David Pastrnak (-145) OVER 3.5 Shots On Goal
Pastrnak took 312 shots in 72 games played last season, which ranked No. 1 on the Bruins. The right wing took 10 shots in 2 games played against the Capitals.
With Dunkel predicting the final score staying UNDER the Vegas total, take Pastrnak (-145) to finish OVER 3.5 shots on goal versus Washington.
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All Media on this page by Associated Press.
