Bruins vs Capitals Game 1 Odds, Preview and Picks

• The Bruins and Capitals play Game 1 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series on Saturday, May 15th
• Boston went 4-2-2 against Washington during the regular season
• Read below for the odds, game preview, and betting pick

The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals are set to clash in Round 1 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Game 1 will be played on Saturday, May 15th (7:15 PM EST) at Capital One Arena and will be broadcasted on NBC.

Boston is being listed as -117 road favorites to take the opening game of the series after winning four of eight meetings with Washington during the regular season.

Should you bet the Bruins to take a 1-0 series lead, or do Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals offer underdog value on home ice?

Bruins vs Capitals Game 1 Odds

Odds as of May 14th

Hall Provides Huge Boost to B’s Offense 

The Bruins have been really clicking offensively since landing one of the most sought after NHL trade deadline targets. Boston is 12-4-1 since acquiring former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall from Buffalo and have scored at least three goals in all but two of those contests.

This 7⃣1⃣ character is goooood.#NHLBruins | @hallsy09 pic.twitter.com/uZYpKnTswo

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 11, 2021

Boston already had one of the best first lines in the league with David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Patrice Bergeron, but the Hall addition gives them a talented second line, as well. Veteran center David Krejci has been immensely productive since Hall became one of his wingers, racking up 14 points in his last eight games.

The main concern for Boston entering the postseason is defense, as they lost Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara in the offseason and have been decimated by the injury bug. Luckily, Brandon Carlo has returned, and Charlie McAvoy and has taken big steps forward. Not to mention, goalie Tuukka Rask owns a stellar .926 save percentage in 93 career playoff starts.

Ovechkin Returns for Caps 

The Capitals haven’t been as hot as the Bruins have been entering the 2021 postseason, but they did get back their top goalscorer just in time for Game 1. Alex Ovechkin returned to the lineup in the team’s regular-season finale after missing time with a lower-body injury. The Russian superstar told reporters that he now feels “100 percent.”

Washington is 4-1-0 in its past five games entering the postseason, which included a 2-1 win over Boston on May 11th in which the Bruins rested several of their top players. The Capitals have only scored six goals over their last three games, but part of that can be attributed to injury. TJ Oshie has a lower-body injury and has yet to be cleared for contact, while Evgeny Kuznetsov is in COVID protocol.

Unlike Boston with Rask, the Capitals don’t have a veteran goaltender with playoff experience to rely on. 25-year-old Vitek Vanecek will be making his first career NHL postseason start Saturday after posting a .908 save percentage in the regular season. The Czech netminder played well in his last start, but his lack of playoff experience gives Boston a big edge in the crease.

Bruins vs Capitals Series Odds

What’s The Best Bet? 

The Bruins are being listed as favorites to win both Game 1 and the series because they hold some advantages in key areas. Rask is as reliable as it gets when it comes to playoff goaltenders, and Boston is healthier on offense. Ovechkin is saying he’s 100 percent, but you can never be sure with these things as players will play through anything for a shot at Lord Stanley.

We're ready. 😎#NHLBruins | #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/NcvmIhIfp6

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) May 13, 2021

The Boston offense is absolutely rolling right now and should exploit a Washington defense that gave up almost three goals per game during the regular season. Boston’s second line has combined for 19 goals in the past 16 games and can pick up the slack if the “Perfection Line” struggles. Bet on Rask shutting the door and the Bruins’ red-hot offense leading the team to a Game 1 victory.

Pick: Boston Bruins ML (-117)