Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins odds, picks and predictions

The Washington Capitals (22-20-7) take on the Boston Bruins (32-10-9) Saturday at TD Garden. Puck drop is set for 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Capitalsvs. Bruinsodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Capitals have lost 6 in a row, including 5-2 and 4-2 defeats to the Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers following the break. LW Alex Ovechkin has goals in 3 straight games, but this team is just too thin to compete in a loaded Eastern Conference.

The Bruins are the top dogs in the conference with 73 points, which is tied for the most in the NHL with the upstart Vancouver Canucks. The Bruins just shut those Canucks out, 4-0, Thursday night. They have won 3 of 4 and 8 of 10. LW Brad Marchand is having one of his better offensive seasons at age 35 with 25 goals and 23 assists.

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Capitals at Bruins odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:25 a.m. ET.

Capitals at Bruins projected goalies

Charlie Lindgren (9-7-4, 2.71 GAA, .912 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Jeremy Swayman (16-4-7, 2.36 GAA, .922 SV%, 3 SO)

"Chuckie Sideburns" was pulled 13 minutes into Tuesday's start after allowing 3 goals on 9 shots to Montreal. He combined to allow 11 goals in his last 2 starts before the All-Star break in what has been a tailspin after a brilliant start.

"Sway" took the loss to Calgary Tuesday, allowing 4 goals on 29 shots. He has been nothing short of excellent this year, which led to his 1st All-Star berth. He went 5-1-3 with a 2.46 GAA and .917 SV% in January.

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Capitals at Bruins picks and predictions

Prediction

Bruins 4, Capitals 2

Ordinarily, I could consider the notion of this being a trap game for Boston. However, it already had one with the 4-1 loss to the Calgary Flames in the 1st game after the break. The Capitals are going nowhere fast, but that means Ovy is going to be shooting to catch The Great One.

Take ALEX OVECHKIN OVER 3.5 SHOTS (+120).

The Bruins are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings with the Caps, and 5 of the last 6 W's have been by multiple goals.

With the way Lindgren is struggling, the BRUINS -1.5 (-105) appears safe.

This one is too volatile for me. Of the last 10 games, 4 have had 7+ goals, and it's really hard to forecast more than 2 for Washington right now. Rather than shooting for a push, I'll just PASS.