Washington Capitals back in playoff race with 3-2 shootout win over Boston Bruins -NHL Update
Washington Capitals got back into the playoff race as they tied Buffalo Sabres at number eight with 86 points after a 3-2 shootout win over defending Stanley Cup champions, Boston Bruins, on Thursday night, March 29, 2012, at the sold-out TD Garden in Boston,
Massachusetts.
Capitals captain, Alex Ovechkin, might not have potted any goals during the contest but he certainly did contribute by picking up two assists to lead Washington to the win.
"Well, we're back on track," Washington captain, Alex Ovechkin, said, "and right now, pressures on Buffalo. ... Sometimes you don't look at the standings and right now you have to look at the standings and see what's going on. We'll happily take two points."
Washington managed to luckily kill of a major penalty during the first period as veteran player, Jason Chimera, was booked with a five-minute major for charging and 10-minute game misconduct, the first being served by Keith Aucoin.
It was not until the third and final period of regulation that Washington got off to their scoring ways as Dennis Wideman and Marcus Johansson fired off two straight nearly two minutes apart.
Boston replied right back as David Krejci and Andrew Ference amazingly levelled the game during the final four minutes of regulation to force another lifeline in overtime.
"This is the heat. Everybody likes playing in the heat," Capitals coach, Dale Hunter, said. "It's playoff hockey. ... A team comes back late in the game, forces overtime, and you never know what happens. You always say, `That team has momentum to win the
game.' But sometimes it doesn't turn out that way."
Matt Hendricks scored on Washington’s first during the shootout decider followed by the equaliser from Tyler Seguin. Patrice Bergeron gave Boston the lead but Alexander Semin answered to keep it tied.
Rich Peverley failed on his team’s fourth attempt while Brooks Laich scored the game-winner to get those crucial two points for Washington.
Washington Capitals need to keep winning if they plan on making the playoffs this time. They have the next at home against the struggling Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.
Boston got the one point and are aiming for the full two against New York Islanders on the same day.
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