Las Vegas 2012 NHL Playoffs Picks: Washington Capitals vs Boston Bruins

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Frank Martin

The Boston Bruins look to take a 2-0 series lead against Washington as they entertain the Capitals at TD Garden on Saturday afternoon. Chris Kelly scored the lone goal at 1:18 of overtime and Tim Thomas posted his sixth career playoff shutout to lift Boston to a 1-0 victory on Thursday.

Washington Capitals played a strong defensive game but failed to mount any offense in the first two periods, only putting seven shots on goal.

- Washington Capitals @ Boston Bruins
When: 3:00 PM ET, Saturday, April 14, 2012
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: 3 p.m. ET, CBC, NBC

The Bruins have opened as 185-moneyline favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NHL Hockey Odds.

Washington Capitals : Goaltending was a huge area of concern for the Capitals coming into the postseason because of injuries to Michal Neurvirth (lower body) and Tomas Vokoun (groin). Braden Holtby rose to the occasion, stopping 29 shots in Game 1. The netminder has allowed only eight goals in his past six outings for the Capitals, including four starts where he has conceded one goal or less. Part of the Bruins' defensive plan was to limit forward Alex Ovechkin's chances in the series. Ovechkin was held to just one shot while mostly matched up against Boston defenseman Zdeno Chara in Game 1.

Boston Bruins : Top-line center David Krejci didn’t skate Friday at practice, one day after being knocked to the ice by a pane of glass at TD Garden during the team's postgame celebration. Krejci said he has a sore neck, but expects to play in Game 2. "He's fine. ... He was a little bit stiff around the neck area this morning. He was scheduled to skate and I talked to the trainer and together we came to terms that it was better if he stayed off and feel even better tomorrow,” head coach Claude Julien said Friday.

1. Ovechkin has failed to score a goal in four games against Boston this season.

2. Thomas carries a playoff shutout streak of 123:44 into Game 2. His last playoff goal allowed was a Maxim Lapierre score at 17:34 of the third period on June 13, 2011 vs. Vancouver during Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final.

3. Game 3 goes at the Verizon Center on Monday, with Game 4 set for Thursday.

NHL PREDICTION: Bruins 3, Capitals 2

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alex ovechkin - boston bruins - braden holtby - chris kelly - claude julien - david krejci - maxim lapierre - michal neurvirth - stanley cup - td garden