By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88
Tonight, the Boston Bruins opened up their 99th season with a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals at the Capital One Arena. After playing last year in the Czech Republic, Bruins veteran David Krejci returned to Boston while the team welcomed new head Coach Jim Montgomery.
GAME NOTES
In an unsurprising fast-paced start to the opening period, Bruins’ Captain Patrice Bergeron scored his first goal of the season during the team’s first power-play of the night. The goal came off a rebound after an initial stop on a shot by David Pastrnak. Evgeny Kuznetsov was nabbed with the infarction against Mike Reilly early in the first period. Pastrnak and David Krejci were assessed their first assists of the season.
With a little over five minutes left to the period, Pastrnak would beat Washington’s netminder Darcy Kuemper on the five-hole to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead. Both Krejci and Connor Clifton were given the assist on the goal.
The Capital were on the man-advantage when Taylor Hall was given a roughing penalty against Nic Dowd but were unable to capitalize.
SCORE END OF THE FIRST: BOS-2, WSH-0
SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-15, WSH-12
A tough moment for Jake DeBrusk during the second as he was seen hitting the ice hard after a hit by Alex Ovechkin. The left-winger was seen skating to the bench gingerly holding his arm. After a beautiful pass from Pastrnak, Hall made it 3-0 as he snapped one in passed Kuemper.
The Caps made it 3-1 after taking advantage of a Bruins’ defensive breakdown when Anthony Mantha beat Ullmark on a two-on-one situation. Washington would get the chance to close the gap when Hall was assessed a minor for slashing.
Despite no shots during the powerplay, Washington’s Conor Sheary made it 3-2 after beating Ullmark to the puck. Boston continued to scramble down their end of the ice and unfortunately the team found themselves down a player when Brandon Carlo was called for holding penalty against Martin Fehervary,
As he exited the penalty box, Carlo would have a golden opportunity on the breakaway, however Kuemper blocked the shot to close out the period. DeBrusk finished the second period but did not return to the game.
SCORE END OF THE SECOND: BOS-3, WSH-2
SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-8, WSH-10
In the final period, the Caps intensified their gameplay swarming the Bruins net. Making his NHL debut, Jakub Lauko would draw back-to-back penalties however the Bruins were unable to cash in on the power play. Ullmark continued to make timely saves as Boston held the Caps to a one-goal lead.
David Krejci backhanded the puck as he nabbed his third point of the night making the score 4-2. With time ticking away Washington gave one final push but ultimately lost 5-2 as Hampus Lindholm scored an empty-netter (his first as a Boston Bruin).
END OF GAME SCORE: BOS-5, WSH-2
TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-30, WSH-35
Ullmark made 33 saves on 35 shots while Darcy Kuemper made 25 saves in his debut in a Capitals jersey. Jakub Lauko would make his NHL debut tonight while A.J. Greer and Pavel Zacha made their Bruins debut.
NEXT GAME: Saturday October 15th, Boston Bruins versus Arizona Coyotes in their home opener @ TD Garden with puck drop after 7:00 PM
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