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.
first goal best goal pic.twitter.com/yNnePFNDHA
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 15, 2021
The Bruins would tie the game late in the period with a goal from Jake DeBrusk (1) at 13:10 of the first period.
RIGHT OFF THE FACE-OFF! 🚨
Jake DeBrusk has tied it. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/VWaeawR4MU
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) May 15, 2021
Vitek Vanecek was injured on the play and would leave the game. Craig Anderson would replace Vanecek at 13:10 of the first frame.
Craig Anderson is now in net for the @Capitals after Vitek Vanecek left with an injury. #ItsOn pic.twitter.com/jBjaMDvBLg
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 15, 2021
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 @Capitals are BACK on top! 🚨#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/XiIdByFtSn
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) May 16, 2021
The Bruins would tie it back up with a power play goal from Nick Ritchie (1) at 16:40 of the second period.
It’s a POWER PLAY tally for the @NHLBruins!
We are TIED again. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/z05U4l2Cxf
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) May 16, 2021
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.
🚨 Our first overtime winner of the postseason! #ItsOn pic.twitter.com/g5oOm6tcrY
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 16, 2021
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.