Boston Bruins – Washington Capitals Series Prediction:
Scott Roche
This has the makings of the best first-round series of the playoffs that the NHL has. Playing eight times this season has brought a lot of dislike between the two teams. After each team won four games, what a way to decide things with a best-of-seven series.
The B’s enter the series playing some of their best hockey of the season. Since the trade deadline, they have been a different team and David Krejci has been a different player. Right now, Boston has two lines producing and if that is able to happen in this series, they can make things difficult for the Capitals.
On the flip side, the Capitals enter the series with questions around injuries and COVID-19 issues. How healthy are the Caps going be come Saturday night? My guess is it will be a big secret until warmups as coach Peter Laviolette would not answer a simple question as to his goalie situation in his Thursday media call with Ilya Samsonov in COVID-19 protocols.
The outcome of the series could very well come down to can the Black and Gold’s young defense play well enough to slow down the high-flying Capitals, as well as how well the Capitals’ young goalies play. There was talk at the trade deadline that Washington was in the market for an experienced goalie. That never happened.
Prediction: Bruins in 6