Boston Bruins vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 5/23/2021 NHL Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Boston Bruins vs Washington Capitals

Date: Sunday, May 23, 2021

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, DC

TV: USA

Capital One Arena is the site where Vitek Vanecek and the Washington Capitals (36-15-5) will take on the Boston Bruins (33-16-7) on Sunday.

The Bruins went home feeling good about their game by earning a 3-2 win against the Capitals in the last game they played. The Bruins had an average offensive output in the win. In the outing, they netted 3 of the 43 shots they attempted. They also had 5 power play attempts and were able to net 1 goal. Boston recorded 10 penalty minutes for this matchup. The Corsi for the Bruins came in at 63 and the Corsi against at the end of this game was 56 meaning they had a Corsi rate of 52.9%. Their Fenwick came in at 46 and the Fenwick Against sat at 44, meaning they had a Fenwick rate of 51.1%. They totaled 35 face-off wins when at even strength and lost on 34 attempts to take control of the puck. Their starts in the offensive zone came in at 44.7% and they had a PDO of 103.2 for this matchup.

Pertaining to their scoring capabilities, the Boston Bruins have accounted for 164 goals (14th in the NHL) for the year and have allowed 134. For the current campaign, the have a total of 73 points and their points % is .652. Boston comes into the game with 160 power play chances and they have scored 35 goals out of those advantages, earning them a percentage of 21.88%. When at even strength, the Bruins have allowed the opponent to score 109 goals while scoring 129 of their own. Boston has tried 1,866 shots and has a shooting percentage of 8.8%. The Bruins have had 1,516 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .912. Boston Bruins opponents have 178 power play opportunities (4th in professional hockey) and have a total of 25 goals in those chances.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Tuukka Rask. Over the course of his time in hockey, Rask has earned 329 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .610. His save percentage sits at .921 during his 32,206 mins played. Rask has seen 15,485 shot attempts taken against him and has accrued 14,269 saves. Opponents have racked up 1,216 goals against Rask in his professional hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 2.27. He has amassed a record of 306-163-66 and got the start in 539 games. Rask has been in goal for 560 games throughout his professional hockey career.

When they were on the ice last, Washington played the Bruins in a matchup where the Capitals went home in defeat by a final of 3-2. They had 5 power play attempts in this matchup and converted 1 out of those chances. The Capitals converted 2 goals out of the 37 shots on goal they took. Their PDO at even strength was 97 and they finished this one with an oZS percentage of 55.3%. Washington earned a 47.1% Corsi rating. This Corsi rating is telling of the kind of game that Washington played and we're sure they will look for better performances in the future. Their Fenwick percentage came in at 48.9% by tallying a Fenwick of 44 and the Bruins finishing with a 46 Fenwick.

The Capitals have earned 150 goals at even strength and 38 goals (6th in hockey) while on the power play. Washington has tried 1,647 shots (18th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.41%, while allowing the opposition 1,612 shots. So far this season, the Washington Capitals have earned a total of 188 goals, 77 points, in addition to a points percentage of .688. They have earned 153 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 24.84%. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 83.95% on the other teams 162 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is 90.0%. They have granted a total of 161 goals to be scored by way of 135 goals at even strength and 26 goals while they had less men on the ice.

Across the rink you will find Vitek Vanecek in net. Opponents are averaging 2.69 goals/game and he has allowed 95 goals in total. Vanecek's quality start rate is 50.0% and he has made 18 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has started in 36 games and his ice time sits at 2,115 mins. Vanecek holds a lifetime record of 21-10-4 and has participated in 37 games. He has compiled 936 saves out of 1,031 shots tried, which gives him a percentage of .908.

Who will win tonight's hockey game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Boston

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