Bruins Thump Capitals, 4-1, Take Commanding 3-1 Series Lead

Posted on May 21, 2021 by Jon Sorensen
Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

The Boston Bruins downed the Washington Capitals, 4-1, Friday night at TD Garden in Boston. The Bruins victory gives them a commanding 3-1 series lead in the first-round best-of-seven series. Game 5 is set for Sunday in Washington.

SUMMARY

After a scoreless first frame, the Bruins would strike first with a power play goal from Brad Marchand midway through the second frame to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead at the second intermission.

The Bruins would quickly extend their lead to 3-0 with goals from David Pastrnak and Charlie Coyle in the first 1:03 of the third period. The Capitals would finally get on the board with a power play marker from Alex Ovechkin early in the third period, to make it 3-1, but the Bruins would restore their three-goal lead moments later with a power play goal from Matt Grzelcyk, to make it 4-1, and that would be the final.

GAME STATS

STARTERS

Ilya Samsonov (0-1-0, 2.10 GAA, .930 sv%) started between the pipes for the visiting Capitals. Tuukka Rask (2-1-0, 2.27 GAA, .926 sv%) got the start in goal for the Bruins. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals:

Scratches: Trevor van Riemsdyk, Daniel Sprong.

FIRST PERIOD

The Capitals and Bruins skated to a scoreless draw in the first period. The Capitals were 0 for 2 and the Bruins 0 for 1 on the power play in the first period.

The Bruins led in shot attempts 18-8 and shots on goal 11-4 in the first frame. Bruins led in scoring chances for 10-2, high-danger chances for 4-1 and expected goals for .75 to .16.

SECOND PERIOD

The Bruins opened the scoring with a power play goal from David Pastrnak (1) at 8:00 of the middle frame.

The second period would conclude with the Bruins leading 1-0.

The Capitals led in shot attempts 14-13 in the second frame with the Bruins leading 31-22 after two periods. The Bruins led in scoring chances for 7-4 in the period, and 17-6 after two periods. The Bruins lead in high-danger shots for 8-1 and expected goals for 1.54 to .43.

THIRD PERIOD

The Bruins extended their lead to 2-0 with a power play goal from David Pastrnak (1) just 29 seconds into the third period.

The Bruins would make it 3-0 with a goal from Charlie Coyle (1) just 34 seconds later.

The Capitals would finally get on the board with a power play goal from Alex Ovechkin (2) at 4:54 of the third period. John Carlson (2) and Nicklas Backstrom (1) had the helpers.

The Bruins would make it 4-1 with a power play goal from Matt Grzelcyk (1) at 14:50 of the third period.

And that would be the final.

Shot attempts were tied 10-10 in the final frame, with the Bruins leading 41-32 for the game. The Bruins led in high-danger chances 9-1, scoring chances for 21-11 no expected goals for 1.93 to .67.

Game 5 is set for Sunday in the District. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.

SHAVINGS

  • Alex Ovechkin scores on the power play to cut the deficit to two goals. It marks Ovechkin’s 71st career playoff goal, passing Steve Yzerman and tying Bryan Trottier for the 16th-most playoff goals in NHL history.
  • John Carlson recorded the primary assist on Ovechkin’s goal. Carlson is now five points shy of passing Dale Hunter (72) for the third-most playoff points in franchise history.

SCENES FROM BOSTON

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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