By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88
The Boston Bruins fell 2-1 in a shoot-out as they played a well-fought physical game against the Washington Capitals. Former Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara would make his debut in a different jersey as he stepped on the ice for the first time as a Washington Capital at the TD Garden. Tonight would’ve also marked a 300th career win for Tuukka Rask, however that milestone would have to wait another day.
GAME BREAKDOWN
In front of a crowd-less TD Garden, the first few moments saw a little disagreement between the top two teams of the East Division. Charlie McAvoy would head to the box with 17 minutes left to the period, giving the Capitals the man advantage. Washington did not let off the pressure as they looked to create some scoring opportunities. Tuukka Rask would stop a potential Alex Ovechkin shot and unfortunately, the Capitals would continue to force Rask to make timely saves.
David Pastrnak had a potential breakaway goal, however, the puck would hit off the post and found itself behind Vitek Vanecek that never reached inside the net. The offensive play of the Capitals created some issues for the Bruins defense as they scrambled to clear the zone. Washington opened up the scoreboard, but there would be an offsides challenge. The play was ruled in favor of the Bruins and the score would remain 0-0. Boston continued to have a hard time keeping the puck down the Caps end as they looked to have their first shot on goal.
Washington once again goes on the power play as David Krejci was assessed a minor penalty for tripping against Ovechkin. There was four-on-four action on the ice soon after as McAvoy and Ovechkin collided on the ice. The Capitals’ captain would be called for interference. No score for either team. Lots of hits from both sides led to tension boiling over in front of the Bruins net. With over 10 seconds left to the period, Boston would draw their second power play of the night as Richard Panik was called on interference against Chris Wagner.
END OF FIRST: BOS-0, WSH-0
SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-2, WSH-7
The second period saw the Bruins’ power play carry over with no shots on goal. Boston had a few moments of puck control as they buzzed around Washington’s net. Bruins kept momentum down the Cap’s end as they created some scoring chances that forced Washington’s defense to play longer shifts. Things continued to get physical on the ice as players from both teams traded some words.
Boston’s gameplay was chippier comparatively to the first period as the defense worked overtime to keep the Caps from scoring. Offensively the team pushed forward as they looked to get past a tough Washington defense. A few turnovers would cause issues for the B’s defense, however, they got sticks on the pucks and were able to clear the zone.
END OF THE SECOND: BOS-0, WSH-0
SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS: 7, WSH-4
David Pastrnak would score a wrist shot from a feed by linemate Brad Marchand, making it 1-0 at 1:19 in the third. Boston’s first line swarmed around Capitals’ net as they looked to build off their momentum. A turnover in the Bruins end unfortunately led to a Washington goal as Lars Eller tied the game at 1-1. Moments later, Rask would stack the pads as he stopped a potential Capitals goal.
Tensions between the teams did not let up as the game went on. After trading some fists and words throughout the game, Ovechkin and Trent Frederic would be sent to the box for slashing and checking penalties. There would be four-on-four action in the last four minutes of the third. Furious play down the Caps end as the clock ticked down and the game would head to overtime.
END OF REGULATION: BOS-1, WSH-1
TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL (Regulation) : BOS-18, WSH-23
EXTRA GAMEPLAY
Tuukka Rask kept the game alive as the game went to overtime making crucial saves and limiting rebounds on the net. No additional score as the game goes to a shoot-out:
Shooter One: Jake DeBrusk- no goal
Shooter Two: Jakub Vrana-Goal
Shooter Three: David Pastrnak-no goal
Shooter Four: TJ Oshie-no goal
Shooter Five: Brad Marchand-no goal
Washington wins 2-1 in shoot-out
TOTAL SHOTS: BOS-19, WSH-28
Capitals lead the series 2-1
NEXT GAME: March 4th, 2021 at TD Garden against the Washington Capitals with puck drop at 7:00 pm. NHLN, NBCSWA, NESN
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