Washington Capitals seek domination over Boston Bruins – NHL Preview
Thanks to Calgary Flames who defeated Winnipeg Jets on Friday, Washington Capitals are still in the comfort zone of National Hockey League (NHL) Eastern Conference, but good fortune is not always going to come for Capitals’ rescue and in order to be a playoff
team, Capitals have to prove their mettle.
Capitals won their last game to move up in the safe zone, but they are now going to hit road and play against Boston Bruins, who are leading the Northeast Division.
The matchup is scheduled on Saturday, March 10, 2012, at TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts.
Here is a look at both teams.
Capitals
In their last game, Capitals defeated Tampa Bay Lightning to snap their three-game skid and gain an entry into the safe zone of the Eastern Conference.
In the three defeats, Capitals’ were struggling to perform as a unit and the defence as well as offence was badly exposed, but the team managed to stay strong on the rink against Lightning.
Capitals got a one-goal lead in the first period, but conceded two goals in the second. They scored another in the final to force the game to overtime where they scored another goal to secure the victory.
Capitals’ defenseman, Karl Alzner, said after the game:
“We had a lot of one-on-one play and a lot of turnovers. It was one of the 'keys' that we had on the board, was no turnovers. He [coach Dale Hunter] yelled at us pretty much for one of the first times that he has ever yelled at us, and the guys just snapped
out of it."
Capitals are ranked at eighth spot in the conference with 72 points after 67 games.
Bruins
Presently on a two-game winning streak, Bruins are ranked at second spot in the Eastern Conference with 83 points after playing 66 games.
The recent victories came against Toronto Maple Leafs (5-4) and Buffalo Sabres (3-1).
Bruins went one goal down in the first period against Sabres, but provided an equaliser in the second and got two goals in the final period to get the victory.
It was after more than a month that Bruins won two games in a row. Bruins’ centre, Gregory Campbell, said after the game:
"I wasn't quite sure of the exact date (of the last two-game winning streak) but I know, we all knew, that it's been quite a while. As we approach the playoffs you're not going to find yourself going very far if you're winning one, losing one so that's where
the consistent factor comes in."
Predictions
Bruins could capitalise on the momentum and defeat Capitals.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Capitals win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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