Capitals Beat Bruins, 3-2 In Overtime

Posted on May 15, 2021 by Jon Sorensen
Photo: Patrick McDermott/NHL via Getty Images

The Washington Capitals downed the Boston Bruins, 3-2 (OT), Saturday night at Capital One Arena. The victory gives the Capitals a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 2 is set for Monday night.

The Capitals would open the scoring with a goal from Tom Wilson at 6:22 of the first period. The Bruins would answer less than seven minutes later with a goal from Jake DeBrusk for a 1-1 tie at the first intermission.

The Capitals would retake the lead with a goal from Brenden Dillon early in the middle frame, but once again the Bruins would answer late in the second period for a 2-2 tie at the second intermission.

The third period would go scoreless, sending Game 1 into overtime. Nic Dowd would win it in overtime for the Capitals.

GAME STATS

STARTERS

Vitek Vanecek (21-10-0-4, 2.69 GAA, .908 sv%) started between the pipes for the Capitals. Tuukka Rask (15-5-0-2, 2.68 GAA, .913 sv%) started in goal for the visiting Bruins. The Capitals starting forward lines and defensive pairs:

Scratches: Evgeny Kuznetsov (COVID-related absences list), Trevor van Riemsdyk.

FIRST PERIOD

The Capitals opened the scoring with a goal from Tom Wilson (1) at 6:22 of the first period.

The Bruins would tie the game late in the period with a goal from Jake DeBrusk (1) at 13:10 of the first period.

Vitek Vanecek was injured on the play and would leave the game. Craig Anderson would replace Vanecek at 13:10 of the first frame.

The first period would end with the game tied 1-1. The Capitals led in shot attempts 14-13 and shots on goal 11-7 in the first frame. Capitals led scoring chances, 8-6, and high-danger shots 2-1. Bruins led in expected goals .49 to .45.

SECOND PERIOD

The Capitals would re-take the lead with a goal from Brenden Dillon (1) at 8:44 of the second period. Anthony Mantha (1) and Alex Ovechkin (1) had the helpers.

The Bruins would tie it back up with a power play goal from Nick Ritchie (1) at 16:40 of the second period.

The second period ended with the game tied 1-1. The Capitals led in shot attempts 21-19 in the second period, and led 35-32 after two periods.  The Capitals led in shots on goal 11-9 in the second period and 22-16 after two periods.

The Capitals led in scoring chances 9-7 in the second period and 17-13 after two periods. The Capitals led in expected goals 1.05 to .81 after two periods.

THIRD PERIOD

The Capitals and Bruins skated to a scoreless draw in the third period, sending the game into overtime.

The Capitals led in shot attempts 15-13 in the third period, and 51-46 after two periods. The Capitals led in scoring chances 8-4 in the third period and 25-18 after three periods.

The Capitals led in expected goals 1.79 to 1.43 after regulation.

OVERTIME

The Capitals would win it in overtime.

Game 2 is set for Monday night at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM.

SHAVINGS

  • Nic Dowd scores his first career playoff overtime goal to give the Capitals a 1-0 series lead in their First Round series against the Boston Bruins.
  • With an assist on Wilson’s goal, T.J. Oshie is now one point shy of 50 playoff points with the Capitals.
  • Ovechkin has scored at least four goals in 11 of his 12 previous postseason appearances, second to only Wayne Gretzky (12x) for the most such playoff performances.

SCENES FROM THE DISTRICT

About Jon Sorensen

Jon has been a Caps fan since day one, attending his first game at the Capital Centre in 1974. His interest in the Caps has grown over the decades and included time as a season ticket holder. He has been a journalist covering the team for 10+ years, primarily focusing on analysis, analytics and prospect development.
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