Washington Capitals' big guns silenced by Boston Bruins
Tim Thomas has continued to impress, with yet another win away from home, leading the Boston Bruins over the Washington Capitals 3-1 on Tuesday 19 October.
How it happened
Since the Bruins lost to Phoenix 5-2 in their season opener, the Bruins have won three games in a row due in large part to the play of their 36-year-old goaltender, Thomas. Thomas took over for Tuukka
Rask after the first game and has been near-perfect since. In the three games in which Thomas has played, all have been away from home, and he has stopped 95 of the 97 shots he's faced – including stopping 35 shots as the Bruins were outshot 36-21 by the Capitals
on Tuesday night.
The Bruins got two first-period goals from David Krejci, with his first of the year, and Milan Lucic, with his third, midway through the period.
The Capitals' starting goalie, Michael Neuvirth, left soon after Lucic's goal complaining of dizziness and a headache, and was replaced by Semyon Varlamov, who saw his first action of the season.
The Caps cut the lead to 2-1 with the only goal of the second when Marcus Johansson got his first of the season.
The Bruins finished of the scoring when Matt Hunwick got his first of the year early in the third.
What they're saying
Thomas, who has been outstanding so far this season, described his performance by saying, "I had to battle through some screens and there were some funny little tips that you have to stay on your toes
for, but we did a good job of not giving them breakaways or outman rushes or chances alone in the slot, things like that. My main battle was seeing through the screens and making sure tips didn't beat me and I didn't give up bad enough rebounds to get scored
on."
Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau didn't get the type of production he usually expects from his top line of Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Knuble, but also credits the Bruins for doing
a good of shutting them down.
"I thought (Ovechkin's) effort was there," he said, "I just didn't think things were going well for that whole line. Give them credit – when they get a lead they've always been one of the toughest teams
in the League to beat."
What it all means
For Washington, the loss was only their second of the season while the Bruins have now won three in a row. Boston will look to win their fourth straight as they head back home to take on the Capitals,
once again, on Thursday 21 October.
Tags: