NHL Odds: Bruins Slight Underdogs Vs. Capitals Despite Washington’s Recent Skid

The Boston Bruins will be gunning for a fourth straight victory on Wednesday night when they visit the struggling Washington Capitals as +130 underdogs at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.

Boston claimed sole possession of third place in the Atlantic Division with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Florida Panthers as -161 chalk on Monday and sits just one point back of the second-place Ottawa Senators heading into Wednesday night’s Bruins vs. Capitals betting matchup at Verizon Center.

The Bruins have continued to stymie opposing shooters during their recent surge, allowing more than a single goal just twice in their past five outings, winning four of those games. The club’s current 4-1 run follows a dismal 1-4 run, during which Boston shooters tallied just five total goals.

The Bruins offense received a much-needed lift with the return from injury of youngster David Pastrnak, who has tallied seven points in seven games, including a spectacular overtime goal to seal the win against Florida.

The Capitals are coming off a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, ending a three-game slide that has dumped them into fourth place in the Metropolitan Division standings.

However, Washington has performed well at home, winning five of its last seven, and has dominated the Bruins in recent meetings, winning five straight, including three victories on home ice, according to the OddsShark NHL Database.

Boston’s date with the Capitals kicks off a stretch of three games in four nights. The Bruins return home on Thursday to face the Colorado Avalanche, before renewing hostilities with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

Boston picked up a 2-0 win over the Avalanche as -124 road favorites in mid-November but is winless in 10 straight home dates with Colorado dating back to 1999.

Complicating matters is Boston’s failure to pick up wins in the second game when playing on back-to-back nights, going 2-7 in its last nine, including three straight defeats at TD Garden.

The Avalanche are in freefall after failing to record a win on their recent five-game homestand, and losing their sixth straight game in Nashville on Tuesday night.

The Leafs have posted just two wins in seven games, but they are narrow -120 favorites in their Wednesday night matchup with the Minnesota Wild at Air Canada Centre. Toronto also has taken two of three from the Bruins, including a 4-1 opening-week victory as -117 home chalk, and it is 3-3 in its past six visits to Boston.

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