Boston Bruins (0-0-0 0pts) v, Washington Capitals (0-0-0 0pts)
Lineups:
Boston Bruins:
Brad Marchand — Patrice Bergeron — David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk — David Krejci — Danton Heinen
Ryan Donato — Sean Kuraly — David Backes
Joakim Nordstrom — Noel Acciari — Chris Wagner
Zdeno Chara – Charlie McAvoy
John Moore – Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk – Kevan Miller
Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak
Scratched: Anders Bjork, Steven Kampfer, Urho Vaakanainen
Injured: Torey Krug (left ankle)
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Washington Capitals:
Alex Ovechkin — Evgeny Kuznetsov — Brett Connolly
Jakub Vrana — Nicklas Backstrom — T.J. Oshie
Andre Burakovsky — Lars Eller — Chandler Stephenson
Nathan Walker — Nic Dowd — Devante Smith-Pelly
Dmitry Orlov — Matt Niskanen
Christian Djoos — John Carlson
Brooks Orpik — Madison Bowey
Braden Holtby
Pheonix Copley
Scratched: Dmitrij Jaskin
Injured: Michal Kempny (concussion), Travis Boyd (lower body)
Suspended: Tom Wilson
Pregame Ceremony:
First Period:
Capitals Goal – :24 – TJ Oshie (1) from Nicklas Backstrom (1) and Matt Niskanen (1)
Bruins Penalty – 1:45 – Sean Kuraly – 2 mins for Tripping
Capitals PPG – 1:27 – Evgeny Kuznetsov (1) from Unassisted
Capitals Penalty – 8:26 – Jakub Vrana 2 mins for Slashing
End of 1st – BOS – 0 WAS – 2
Shots 9 13
Faceoffs 18/22 4/22
Hits 13 7
PP 0/1 1/1
Analysis:
This was a very good first period for the Capitals for the most part. They scored two great goals in the two minutes and created some really good chances offensively. However the Capitals were horrendous in the faceoff circle winning only four out of 22 faceoffs the entire period. Also the Capitals new look penalty kill was very effective in their lone opportunity. Evgeny Kuznetsov on the PK adds a very scary threat with his speed and skill.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Need to Do:
The Capitals need to do a much better job in the faceoff circle. going 4 out of 22 is pathetic and the Capitals have too many talented centers to only win four faceoffs an entire period. Also the Capitals need to keep applying the pressure in the Bruins zone. The Capitals came out on fire and they need to keep it coming.
Second Period:
Bruins Penalty – 3:01 – Brad Marchand 2 mins for Tripping
Capitals PPG – 4:17 – Alex Ovechkin (1) from Nicklas Backstrom (2) and TJ Oshie (1)
Capitals Goal – 6:13 – Nic Dowd (1) from Nathan Walker (1) and Devante Smith-Pelly (1)
Capitals Penalty – 6:45 – Madison Bowey 5 minutes for Fighting
Bruins Penalty – 6:45 – Sean Kuraly 5 minutes for Fighting
Bruins Penalty – 6:45 – Sean Kuraly 2 minutes for Holding
Capitals PPG – 7:28 – Evgeny Kuznetsov (2) from John Carlson (1) and Braden Holtby (1)
Bruins pull Tuukka Rask and put in Jaroslav Halak
Bruins Penalty – 13:54 – Kevan Miller 2 minutes for Cross Checking
Bruins Penalty – 15:27 – David Backes 2 minutes for Slashing
Capitals PPG – 15:45 – John Carlson (1) from Alex Ovechkin (1) and Nicklas Backstrom (3)
End of 2nd – BOS – 0 WAS – 6
Shots 15 25
Faceoffs 32/45 13/45
Hits 25 12
PP 0/1 4/5
Analysis:
Another very strong period for the Capitals. They are keeping their feet moving, generating scoring chances, and drawing penalties.
Need to Do:
The Capitals need to keep on pushing. Also they need to do so much better in the faceoff circle, but overall they just need to keep playing their game and keep their feet moving.
Third Period:
Capitals Penalty – 8:25 – Madison Bowey for Cross Checking
Capitals Goal – 10:52 – Lars Eller (1) from Chandler Stephenson (1) and Brooks Orpik (1)
Capitals Penalty – 13:54 – Lars Eller 5 minutes for Fighting
Bruins Penalty – 13:54 – Brad Marchand 5 minutes for Fighting
Bruins Penalty – 13:54 – Brad Marchand 2 minutes for Instigating
Bruins Penalty – 13:54 – Brad Marchand – Misconduct
End of 3rd – BOS – 0 WAS – 7
Shots 25 37
Faceoffs 41/60 19/60
Hits 28 16
PP 0/2 4/6
Analysis:
This was a dominating performance from start to finish for the Washington Capitals as they defeated the Boston Bruins 7-0. Evgeny Kuznetsov had two powerplay goals and Nicklas Backstrom had three assists, as well as Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson registering a goal and an assist each. The Capitals jumped the Bruins with two quick goals in the first two minutes of the game, and never looked back. They moved their feet, they generated scoring chances and drew penalties. The Capitals also were a dominate 4 for 6 on their powerplay, and when they had to go on the penalty kill were a perfect 2 for 2. Only key concern right now for the Capitals is that they were dominated in the faceoff circle by the Bruins and needs to be addressed before their matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins tomorrow night in Pittsburgh.
Next Up:
Washington (1-0-0 2pts) at Pittsburgh (0-0-0 0pts)
Boston (0-1-0 0pts) at Buffalo (0-0-0 0pts)
You can watch TXHT Live every Wednesday at 8p EST on both Twitch and Facebook Live.
