Washington Capitals once again can't solve Tim Thomas
The Washington Capitals' high octane offence was subdued for the second time in three nights by the Boston Bruins and goaltender Tim Thomas. After allowing just one goal in a 3-1 victory over the Capitals
two nights ago, Thomas was in sparkling form again, saving 38 of 39 shots, and leading the Bruins to a 4-1 win over the Caps on Thursday 21 October.
How it happened
Bruins forward Michael Ryder scored his second of the season late in the first period on the power play. Patrice Bergeron played a beautiful pass from the point into Ryder who was waiting at the side of
the net to fire the puck home.
Bruins rookie winger Jordan Caron made it 2-0 early in the second period before the Bruins got a second power play goal, just under 10 minutes later, from Nathan Horton. Horton's vicious slap shot through
traffic powered it's way through Capitals goalie Semyon Varlamov.
Jason Chimera gave the Capitals a lifeline midway through the third with his second of the season, but the Caps failed to follow it up with more scoring.
With the game already out of reach, Bruins defenceman Zdeno Chara got his first of the season, again on the power play with only a few seconds left on the clock.
What they're saying
The main talking point over the two games contested by these teams has been the play of Thomas, who had off-season surgery for a hip problem, and who is happy just be given the chance to play.
"I'm hoping this isn't just a hot streak; this is me now," Thomas said about his recent performances. "At times last year I felt like I was a one-legged goalie."
Thomas, who has been starting in place of Tukka Rask, who was mediocre in the team's season opener, also commented on head coach Claude Julien's goaltending dilemma.
"I understand that me and Tuukka are a tandem," he said. "There's room enough for both of us to play. I'm not putting myself in the coach's shoes; I'm just playing as well as I can when I'm told to play."
Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau also credited Thomas' strong play as being instrumental in the Bruins victory.
"It's pretty tough to come back against this team when their goalie is playing like that with a three-nothing lead. We had lots of chances to score. We just ... didn't."
What it all means
The Bruins have now won four in a row and will host the New York Rangers on Saturday 23 October.
The Capitals, who had won four in a row before coming up against Thomas and the Bruins, play host to the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday.
Tags: