Washington Capitals vs Boston Bruins Picks and Predictions December 31st 2024

Washington Capitals vs Boston Bruins December 31st 2024

Looking to win big? The Bruins and Capitals face off at 12:30 ET on ESPN+. The Capitals are hosting the game at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. This Eastern conference matchup has an over/under of 5.5 goals, and the Capitals are favored by -1.5 goals vs. the Bruins.

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Boston vs. Washington Key Information

With a 2-0 win over the Kraken, the Bruins improved to 20-14-4 this season. Boston covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total for the game was set at 6 goals, but the teams combined for just 2.

Both of Boston’s goals came in the first period, with Justin Brazeau scoring at the 16:37 mark, followed by a power-play goal from Charlie Coyle at 10:03.

Boston’s offense got going early in their 2-0 victory over the Kraken, with Justin Brazeau netting his 5th goal of the season just 3:23 into the game. Charlie Coyle followed up with his 2nd goal, which came on a power play at the 10:03 mark of the first period.

The Bruins fired 33 shots on goal but were held scoreless after the first period. They recorded 16 giveaways and picked up 4 assists, with Brad Marchand earning his 7th assist of the season on Coyle’s power-play goal.

Boston’s defense was rock solid in their last game, leading to a 2-0 win over Seattle. Jeremy Swayman made 23 saves with a 100% save percentage, while the Bruins’ defense added 5 takeaways and 15 hits.

• Over their last three games, the Bruins have gone 2-1 straight up. The team has also been excellent vs the spread, going 2-1. Their over-under record in these games was 1-2.
• The Bruins have gone 6-4 over their last ten regular season games. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 5-5 to go along with an over-under mark of 6-4.

Washington’s 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes dropped their record to 24-10-2. The Capitals were the underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 6 goals matched the pre-game line.

After giving up the first goal, Washington responded with two goals in the first period. However, the Hurricanes scored three unanswered goals to secure the win.

Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season on a power play, while Brandon Duhaime added his 2nd goal in the Capitals’ 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes. Washington took 21 shots on goal but was held scoreless after the first period.

Dylan Strome picked up his 13th assist on Ovechkin’s goal, with John Carlson adding his 7th assist. Nic Dowd earned his 2nd assist on Duhaime’s goal. The Capitals struggled with 15 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Capitals will look to bounce back after allowing 4 goals to the Hurricanes, including 3 unanswered after going up 2-1 late in the first period. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, but the defense struggled, giving up 44 shots on goal. Washington also had 2 takeaways and 20 hits.

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Bruins to defeat the Capitals while playing on the road. Given the current moneyline odds at +120, I’m placing a wager on the Bruins to win outright.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Bruins winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Bruins straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

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Capitals Look to Avenge Last Week’s Loss to Bruins

The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals square off Tuesday afternoon in Washington, D.C., meeting for the second time in just over a week. The Bruins will aim to replicate their strong third-period surge that secured a 4-1 victory in Boston last Monday, while the Capitals seek redemption with Alex Ovechkin back in their lineup.

Ovechkin’s Return Sparks Washington

After missing 16 games with a fractured left fibula, Alex Ovechkin has returned to form, scoring in both games since his comeback. His goal-scoring streak now spans seven games, and he sits just 25 goals shy of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record.

“He’s taking the hockey world on a crazy ride right now. It’s rock star stuff,” teammate Tom Wilson said.

Ovechkin’s return comes as a boost to the Capitals, who split their last two games, beating Toronto 5-2 on Saturday before falling 4-2 to Detroit on Sunday. Despite his individual heroics, Washington stumbled against Detroit, allowing four first-period goals on just 12 shots.

Coach Spencer Carbery expressed frustration with his team’s first-period performance: “We made a bunch of mistakes in that first period.” The Capitals will need to tighten up defensively to avoid another early deficit against the Bruins.

Bruins Seek Consistency

Boston has shown flashes of brilliance but is striving for steadier performances. After suffering a 6-2 loss to Columbus on Friday, the Bruins rebounded with a dominant 4-0 shutout at home on Saturday. Goals from David Pastrnak, Justin Brazeau, Morgan Geekie, and Cole Koepke highlighted Boston’s depth.

Interim coach Joe Sacco praised the team’s effort in the shutout: “It was a professional win. We played a full 60 minutes.”

Goaltender Jeremy Swayman contributed with an 18-save performance for his second shutout of the season. Swayman has been solid recently, going 7-1-1 in his last nine starts, and is expected to be a key factor in Tuesday’s matchup.

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Key Players to Watch

For the Bruins, Morgan Geekie has thrived in December, scoring five of his eight goals this month. His role on a line with Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha has bolstered Boston’s offensive production.

Meanwhile, the Capitals rely on Ovechkin to lead their attack. With 17 goals in 20 games this season, he remains a constant threat. Nic Dowd, who scored against Detroit, and Tom Wilson also provide valuable contributions.

What’s at Stake

Both teams have won six of their last ten games and are vying for improved positioning in the Eastern Conference standings. For the Capitals, avenging their loss in Boston and showcasing a sharper defensive effort will be top priorities. The Bruins, meanwhile, aim to build momentum as they continue to adapt to life under interim coach Joe Sacco.

With Ovechkin back and both teams seeking a strong end to the calendar year, Tuesday’s clash promises to be an exciting contest.