Who doesn’t love starting a season with an Eastern Conference rivalry? The Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins have been two of the NHL’s powers of the 21st century. Now the two will square off to open their 2025-26 season, and it’s going to be a banger.
The Capitals open as -192 favorites on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. Boston is a +160 underdog on the moneyline, with the total set at 5.5 goals. Let’s get into a preview, prediction and pick for this opening night matchup between the Capitals and Bruins.
Capitals vs. Bruins Preview
The Bruins’ 2024-25 season was an unmitigated disaster. They haven’t dipped below 100 points in a full season since 2017, and were only two years removed from a historic 135-point year. But it all came undone last season. Boston dipped to 76 points, tied for the fourth-worst mark in the NHL. They said goodbye to a franchise icon in Brad Marchand, who immediately won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers.
Now they need to figure out how to get back on track. More changes were made this offseason, but they still have David Pastrnak, one of the best scorers in the game. James Hagens, the Boston College product, gives them life through the draft. It would be a surprise to see Boston contend, but they’re always going to be tough.
The Capitals kept up the status quo in the offseason. After a 111-point season that secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, they disappointed with a second-round exit against the Carolina Hurricanes. After shuffling some depth pieces at the bottom of the roster, they’re ready to run it back with newly crowned all-time leading goal scorer Alex Ovechkin. Naturally, the living legend spent his offseason doing side quests.
Now that the table is set for these two squads, let’s get into a prediction and best pick.
Capitals vs. Bruins Prediction, Pick
There’s not much doubt about the winner of this game. The Bruins remain in a transition period, while the Capitals remain consistent. Washington’s hard-nosed defense and deep offensive attack is too much for Boston to handle.
But it’s tough to see value in any team as near two-to-one favorites over a 60-minute NHL game. I see the value in the under here: both defenses can produce some quality, and I don’t think Boston has the offensive punch to make a dent in this scoreline.
