Remember the spark that was desperately needed to shake up the series? Well, the Capitals ignited a fire last game.
The energy has certainly picked up in this series. That has to favor the Bruins right? Sure it does. Scrums in between the whistles are not ideal, but whatever it takes to get the team clicking again is perfectly acceptable.
The Bruins looked to continue that momentum into game four on Thursday night. They would be facing a Caps team that was without Nicklas Backstrom, who was suspended for one game after cross-checking Rich Peverley in the face and receiving a match penalty for it. Even though Washington was without Backstrom for 40 games this season, he is still an important piece of their team.
The Bruins did not get off to the right start as they surrendered the first goal of the game at 1:22 of the first period. Marcus Johansson beat Tim Thomas after Washington pressured the Bruins with some good forechecking. They were unable to do much else in the first 20 minutes since they only recorded two shots in the period.
Peverley tied the game after the Bruins created some pressure of their own. They really controlled much of the puck possession and made Capitals' goaltender Braden Holtby look fragile. Boy did that ever change.
The Bruins had four or five chances to score a goal in the second period. They got shots on net that produced rebounds, but they could not put in the loose puck. They also were very sloppy in their defensive zone. Washington was able to go back on top on a power play goal scored by Alexander Semin. If it was not for the stellar play of Thomas between the pipes, the Caps could have easily put in more goals.
That story continued into the third period where they kept relying on Thomas to keep them in this game. The B's offense was clicking in this one, but they did everything except score. Holtby made 44 saves to preserve the 2-1 victory for Washington. The series is now tied at two games a piece.
Including Thursday's game, Boston is now 0-for-12 on the power play and continue to get roughed up at the face-off dot.
Game five will be Saturday afternoon back at the TD Garden.
Gold Star: Tim Thomas (19 saves on 21 shots, 2 goals allowed, .905 save percentage)...He is in playoff form no doubt.
Black Star: Zdeno Chara...He was all out of position in this game and could not really keep the puck on his stick. It is too bad because one of his blasts could have been the difference maker.
No comments:
Post a Comment