Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images
The Washington Capitals beat the Boston Bruins 4-3 (SO) Thursday night at Capital One Arena. The Caps quickly gave up two goals, just 2:12 into the game, but then rallied in the second period, ending their scoring drought with two goals in the middle frame to tie the game. After exchanging tallies in the third period, the Capitals would win it in a shootout on a goal by Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals return to action Saturday night when they host the Metro Division leading New Jersey Devils at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is 7:00 PM.
STARTERS
Braden Holtby (20-8-0, 2.65 GAA, .918 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Caps. Anton Khudobin (8-2-2 2.45 GAA, .923 sv%) got the start in goal for the Bruins. The Capitals starting lines and defensive pairs:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Connolly-Eller-Burakovsky
DSP-Beagle-Chiasson
Orpik-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Djoos-Bowey
Chandler Stephenson missed his second straight game due to illness. Taylor Chorney was a healthy scratch. Nathan Walker was re-assigned to Hershey earlier in the day.
FIRST PERIOD
The Bruins started fast with several early shots, and would register the game’s first tally just 1:23 into the contest. David Backes found twine from low in the slot.
The Bruins would quickly make it 2-0 with a goal by Noel Acciari just 2:12 into the 1st.
The Caps had a chance to cut into the Bruins lead with the game’s first power play, but Washington was unable to capitalize. Shots on goal were even at 7-7 with 8 minutes remaining in the opening frame.
The period would end with the Bruins lead 14-10 in shots on goal. Washington was 0 for 1 and Boston 0 for 2 on the power play. Boston won 64% of the faceoffs.
SECOND PERIOD
The Caps opened the middle frame with a little better push on the offensive end, but were unable to find the back of the net. Shots on goal were 7-3 through the first 10 minutes of play in the second period.
Finally the Capitals would get on the scoreboard when Lars Eller potted a goal at 12:31 of the second period. This was the first goal by the Caps in over 177 minutes of play.
The Capitals tie the game with a power play goal by Alex Ovechkin at the 14:07 mark of the second period, making it 2-2. This was the Capitals first power play goal in four-plus games and second power play goal in 10 games.
The period would end with the game tied 2-2. The Capitals outshot the Bruins 10-7 for the middle frame. The Bruins led in shots on goal 21-20 after 40 minutes of play.
THIRD PERIOD
The Bruins would regain the lead after a turnover by T.J. Oshie led to a David Backes goal, his second of the game, at the 7:19 mark of the final frame.
The Capitals would tie the game with a dirty goal by Brett Connolly at 11:22 of the final frame.
Regulation would end with the game tied 3-3. The Capitals led in shots on goal 32-31 after three periods of play.
OVERTIME
The overtime period would be scoreless, with Boston outshooting Washington 3-1 for the extra frame.
SHOOTOUT
The Capitals would win it in the shootout 1-0. Alex Ovechkin would notch the only tally of the shootout.
SHAVINGS
- The Capitals have now won 12 straight games over the Bruins.
- This was Evgeny Kuznetsov’s 300th game in the NHL.
- Caps head coach Barry Trotz tied Lindy Ruff for the fifth most wins in NHL history (735).
- The Caps hadn’t scored a goal in over 177 minutes of play before Lars Eller’s goal in the second period.
- Tonight’s attendance was 18,506, the Capitals 383rd consecutive sellout at Capital One Arena.
- NHL box score is here.
By Jon Sorensen
Follow @NoVa_Caps
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