Bruins vs. Capitals NHL Playoffs Odds and Game 2 Preview — May 17th, 2021

By Carlos Chacon • May 17, 2021

The Washington Capitals drew first blood in this series against the Boston Bruins. It’s still too early to tell, however, if the Caps can go all the way and advance to the next round, as the Bruins are still an incredibly dangerous squad.

NitroBetting news goes over the highlights of the upcoming game, including recent team form, the latest NHL odds, betting trends, and betting predictions, all of which are geared to help you lock in those winning picks. Don’t forget to check out more Hockey odds at our online BTC sportsbook before placing your bets!

Bruins vs. Capitals Game 2 Information

When: Monday, May 17, 2021, 7:30 PM ET
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
TV: NHL.tv, TVAS, NBCSWA, ATTSN-PT
Radio: (Bruins 98.5 The Sports Hub ) / (Caps Radio 24/7 )
Live Stream: NHL Live
NHL Betting Odds: Boston Bruins (-130) / OU: 5.5

Why Bet on the Boston Bruins?

Tuuka Rask will be in front of the net again for the Bruins in Game 2. The netminder couldn’t wait to play the Caps again after a letdown performance in the series opener. Rask allowed all three Caps goals in 32 shots faced. But the Bruins’ blueline will also have to do better in order to lighten the load on Rask’s shoulders.

The Bruins were outshot and outhit by the Caps in Game 1, and that’s despite the fact that they had four power-play chances to just three by Washington. Boston’s lethal top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pastrnak was held silent in Game 1, though Pastrnak had an assist. Look for them to be extra aggressive in Game 2, especially if Caps goalie Vitek Vanecek won’t be able to suit up.

Why Bet on the Washington Capitals?

The big question for the Capitals heading into Game 2 is whether Vanecek will play or not. The 25-year-old goalie was not able to finish Game 1 because of a lower-body injury, and his status for Monday’s game is currently up in the air. If he can’t go, the Capitals could turn to veteran Craig Anderson again.

Anderson stepped in midgame for Vanecek in Game 1 and turned away 1 of 22 Bruins shots, including three while his team was shorthanded. Washington’s penalty kill was impressive in the series opener, just as it had been in the regular season against Boston’s power play.

The Caps’ ability to slow down Boston’s special teams will be a huge factor for the team the rest of the way of the series. Anthony Mantha put up a solid performance in his first-ever playoff game, as he recorded an assist. That’s a nice sight for the Caps, who are looking to get more from their prized trade-deadline acquisition.

Bruins vs. Capitals Betting Trends

The Bruins are 9-2 in their last 11 games following a game in which they scored no more than two goals.
The Bruins are 12-5 in their last 17 games as the favorite.
The Under is 4-0-2 in the Bruins’ last six games following a game in which they scored no more than two goals.
The Capitals are 4-1 in their last five games as the underdog.
The Capitals are 4-1 in their last five games as the home underdog.
The Over is 6-2-1 in the Capitals’ last nine games as the home underdog.

Bruins vs. Capitals Expert Betting Predictions

The Bruins’ top line should be able to come up with those goals sooner than later. That could come in Game 2, as Boston surely doesn’t want to go down 0-2 in the series. The Caps, on the other hand, also didn’t get any goal from their first line, though TJ Oshie played a big role in the game-winning goal. This is looking like another close contest that could end up a high-scoring one.

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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.