NHL Odds, Expert Picks & Prediction: Bruins vs. Capitals (October 12)

Bruins vs. Capitals Odds

The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals are starting the 2022-23 campaign just a tad shorthanded as both teams are missing significant players due to injury. The Bruins are missing key members on their blue line, while the Capitals are without some main contributors to their offense.

So which team will feel the absences most? Let's analyze both sides and see where we can find betting value in Wednesday's clash.

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Can the Bruins Overcome Missing Stars?

The Bruins have always overcome adversity, but this season has a different feel to it for them. They are starting their season without star forward Brad Marchand, as well as a star defenseman in Charlie McAvoy. They will also be missing Matt Grzelcyk and Taylor Hall is questionable for tonight's game.

Despite these players missing from the lineup, the Bruins still have a very strong roster. They are deep at the Center position with Patrice Bergeron, Charlie Coyle, Tomas Nosek, and the return of longtime Bruin, David Krejci.

The Bruins were fantastic on the road last season, which gives me a ton of confidence in them being a road underdog in tonight's battle. Another factor that adds to the Bruins' strengths is Jeremy Swayman's strong play on the road last season. Swayman will most likely get the start tonight and last season he went 13-6-2 as an away netminder.

I am very confident in the Bruins goaltending and they will also have an extra boost as this will be Jim Montgomery's first game as head coach.

Capitals Leaning Heavy on Alexander Ovechkin

The Capitals have plenty of injury issues of their own. They are missing Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson along with Carl Hagelin and T.J. Oshie is questionable for tonight's game. They are going to need some players, aside from Alexander Ovechkin, to step up and score some goals.

The Caps have gotten a little older and it seems like their window to compete for another Stanley Cup is starting to dwindle a bit. I don't have very high expectations for the Capitals this season because I'm not sure there will be a point where they are fully healthy.

Darcy Kuemper will make his first start as a member of the Capitals in this game after having a summer of celebrating winning the Stanley Cup with the ColoradoAvalanche. Kuemper might have a bit of a championship hangover and his focus might not be there since Colorado is having their banner-raising ceremony tonight as well, which could be in the back of his mind. Kuemper is a solid goaltender, but the Capitals are nowhere near as good as Colorado was in front of him last season, which could be an adjustment for him.

Washington still has Ovechkin, so it is always a threat when he is on the ice, but right now there are too many holes in this offense to trust them.

Bruins vs. Capitals Pick

I am extremely confident that Jeremy Swayman and the Boston Bruins can march into Capital One Arena and spoil the Capitals home opener. Washington was not very strong on home ice last season as they skated to a 19-16-6 record at home, while the Bruins had a 25-13-3 away record.

Boston still has a strong top-six forward group even though they are missing Marchand, this could be a game where David Pastrnak takes over and I am sure that David Krejci is fired up to be back in an NHL game after playing overseas last season.

I love the value on the Bruins as a road dog going up against an unhealthy Capitals team with a new goalie. I'm riding the B's.

Pick: Bruins ML (+130 at BetMGM)