Facing a team desperate for points as they try to make the playoffs in a Saturday afternoon contest-something the Bruins always struggle in-Boston lost 4-3 to the Washington Capitals today at TD Garden.
The loss ended Boston's modest two-game win streak which was the longest one they had built in two months.
The B's (40-24-3) outplayed the Capitals (34-28-6) for long stretches but that doesn't really matter since they handed Washington a 2-0 lead right out of the gate and later a 4-2 advantage just for shits and giggles. Boston rallied the first time but you'll pretty much never win playing that style so they couldn't do it again.
Alexander Semin (18th of the season) and Matt Hendricks (4th of the season) scored 25 seconds apart, at 7:50 and 8:15 of the first period which caused Bruins head coach Claude Julien to burn his timeout. Semin's goal was Tim Thomas' (26 saves; 26-16-0) fault since Thomas kicked Karl Alzner's shot right to Semin rather than the corner. Boston's defense was the culprit for Hendricks' tally since they let him bust through and stuff in another rebound-from Troy Brouwer's shot.
Momentum shifted as Milan Lucic (23rd of the season) scored with six seconds left in the first period. He seemed to have caught Caps goaltender Tomas Vokoun (30 saves) by surprise as the not very powerful shot slipped between his pads. Patrice Bergeron had the assist.
Brad Marchand (23rd of the season) tied it at two just 4:58 into the second period. He corralled a loose puck and skated in alone on Vokoun before sliding it past him.
Penalties killed the Bruins as they took three in the second period alone. They were able to kill the first two but in between those Jay Beagle (2nd of the season) was able to wrist one by Thomas. That occurred in what NESN's Jack Edwards refers to as the "Vulnerable Minute," the minute after a power play ends. The third penalty was a bogus roughing call on Greg Zanon and to make matters worse, Washington scored on it thanks to a Brooks Laich (13th of the season) tip in. Former Bruin Dennis Wideman and Alexander Ovechkin assisted.
The Bruins absolutely dominated in the third, outshooting the Capitals 13-2, but they could only muster one goal. Johnny Boychuk (5th of the season) roofed a rebound at 16:47 from Marchand and Jordan Caron.
Boston travels to Pittsburgh tomorrow afternoon for a tough back-to-back. Let me say that I want to see Marty Turco make his Bruins debut, mostly because Thomas seems dead energy-wise and who can blame him? They picked up Turco so they might as well use him, why not tomorrow? Particularly since it's a back-to-back, on the road, early start and even because the clocks get set an hour later.
The Penguins are 1-1 against the Bruins so far this season, with their last meeting a 2-1 win in Boston on February 4. Pittsburgh always seems to improve as the season goes along-a sign of a great team-and this one is no different. They've won eight straight games including two by a goal and two shootout victories.
Tweet
Follow @RichSlate
No comments:
Post a Comment