Capitals Fall To Bruins, 3-1; Lose First-Round Series, 4-1

Posted on May 23, 2021 by Jon Sorensen
Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images

The Washington Capitals fell to the Boston Bruins, 3-1, Sunday night at Capital One Arena in Washington. The Capitals loss gives the Bruins the first-round series, 4-1, and ends the Capitals 2020-21 season.

SUMMARY

After a scoreless first frame, the Bruins finally broke the scoring seal with a goal from David Pastrnak early in the second period and added a goal from Patrice Bergeron late in the period for a 2-0 lead at the second intermission.

The Capitals would draw to within one with a goal from Conor Sheary (1) just 11 seconds into the final frame, but the Bruins would answer with a goal from Patrice Bergeron, his second of the game, late in the final frame, for a 3-1 lead. That would be the final.

GAME STATS

STARTERS

Ilya Samsonov (0-2-0, 2.96 GAA, .912 sv%) got the start in goal for the Capitals. Tuukka Rask (3-1-0, 1.99 GAA, .930 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the visiting Bruins. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals:

Scratches: Michael Raffl, Trevor van Riemsdyk

FIRST PERIOD

The Capitals and Bruins skated to a scoreless draw in the first frame. The Capitals were 0 for 3 on the power play while the Bruins were 0 for 1. The Bruins led in face-offs 58-42% for the first period.

The Capitals led in 5v5 shot attempts 12-8, and shots on goal 10-9 in all situations. The Bruins led in high-danger shot attempts 3-1 and expected goals for .53 to .48. The Capitals led in scoring chances at 5v5, 7-3.

SECOND PERIOD

The Bruins struck first with a goal from David Pastrnak (2) at 2:28 of the second period.

The Bruins would make it 2-0 with a goal from Patrice Bergeron (2) at 14:05 of the second period.

The second period would end with the Bruins leading 2-0.

The Capitals led in shot attempts 28-12 and shots on goal 20-4 in the second period. The Capitals led in scoring chances for 12-5 in the middle frame and 19-8 after two periods. The Capitals led in high-danger chances 5-2 in the second period and 6-5 after 40 minutes. The Capitals led in expected goals for 1.6 to .89 after two periods.

THIRD PERIOD

The Capitals would cut the Bruins lead to one with a goal from Conor Sheary (1) just 11 seconds into the third period. T.J. Oshie (3) and Dmitry Orlov (3) had the helpers.

The Bruins would answer with a goal from Patrice Bergeron (3) at 12:25 of the third period, making it 3-1.

The Capitals appeared to answer with a goal from Lars Eller, but the score was waived off due to goaltender interference by Evgeny Kuznetsov.

The Bruins would hold on for the 3-1 win and take the first round series, 4 games to 1.

For the game, the Capitals led in shot attempts 57-36, scoring chances 25-13, high-danger chances 9-7 and expected goals 2.31 to 1.3.

SHAVINGS

  • Conor Sheary opened up the scoring for the Capitals with his first goal of the playoffs. The goal was scored 11 seconds into the third period, the earliest the Capitals have scored a goal in a period this season, which includes both the regular season and playoffs.
  • Conor Sheary’s goal, scored 11 seconds into the third period, is the fastest goal scored in a period in a playoff game in franchise history (previously: Mike Gartner, 15 seconds into first period, April 8, 1987 vs. New York Islanders).

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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4 Responses to Capitals Fall To Bruins, 3-1; Lose First-Round Series, 4-1

  1. Pingback: Monday Caps Clips: Suddenly, Summer

  2. Scottlew73 says:
    May 24, 2021 at 9:30 am

    The Trotz curse continues! Until this GM is let go this team won’t go forward! Karma’s a bitch. You got beat by a TEAM not a group of players. Fitting that Kuzy’s stupid play cost the team it’s moementum!

    Reply

  3. Pingback: Monday Caps Clips: Suddenly, Summer - Baltimore Sports Today

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