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Caps beat Bruins 3-1 in possible playoff preview

By Peter Hassett

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April 8, 2017 6:02 pm

The Caps’ primary goal for their penultimate game was simple: don’t get hurt. They didn’t get hurt, so that’s a win. Another reason why it’s a win is because they scored goals more than the Boston Bruins.

Marcus Johansson got us started with a tic-tac-toe sequence. Colin Miller tied it in the second period with a controversial goal, but Kevin Shattenkirk restored the lead with a controversial goal of his own. Shat had a second goal, but it was too controversial because Justin Williams kinda, sorta interfered with the Boston goalie. No worries though, as Williams scored on a dart to give the Caps a two-goal lead headed into the third, where nothing at all happened.

Caps beat Bruins 3-1. One game left until the postseason.

  • We knew the game wouldn’t begin promptly at 3, but the puck didn’t drop until 3:28 due to Boston’s pregame ceremonies. That’s just silly.
  • Marcus Johansson, playing in his 500th NHL game, was excellent. His team-up with Justin Williams to open up scoring was a beautiful series. (It wasn’t the only defensive breakdown by Boston.) Johansson is now third in goals among the Caps, which I never thought would happen.
  • Jay Beagle drew two penalties in the first two periods and a third in the third, a bright spot in an otherwise lowly performance by the bottom line. After a dangerous trip by Colin Miller on Tom Wilson, Beagle retaliated with an even more dangerous hit into the boards. I’m aghast that he got only two minutes on it.
  • Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin almost killed a guy again. This time it was Brandon Carlo, who left the game. The hit itself wasn’t malicious, it was just unfortunate and awkward.
  • There were three (3) scoring reviews in the second period. Pierre McGuire’s version of “hold the door, hold the door, hodor” was “integrity of the scoring area” as three consecutive goals each got challenged for various possible infractions. Only Kevin Shattenkirk’s second goal got called back, but we did get like 6-7 minutes of stifling tedium in the middle of our hockey game. Off-duty Joe B’s take on the disallowed goal:

  • Nate Schmidt made one neat pass for an assist, but he and partner Karl Alzner were definitely pulling up the rear as far as shot-attempt differential is concerned (11 to 8). Assuming Trotz wants Chorney to get ice time tomorrow, I wonder if the Schmidtuation changes, or if anyone player could use a rest.
  • Anton Khudobin probably has the ol’ north and south. He left the game after the second intermission. The Bruins report, simply, that he’s “not feeling well.” Tuukka Rask filled in for the final frame.
  • Almost 200 feet away, Philipp Grubauer was superb in Washington’s net. That hasn’t been surprising this season, but it’s an excuse for me to embed this funny/sad tweet.

https://twitter.com/Tommy_Chalk/status/850792767345369091

  • I have no opinion on Tom Brady. Am I supposed to have an opinion on Tom Brady?
  • Ian’s tweet brought this up, and it got me thinking: who was the worse Caps coach: Adam Oates or Bruce Cassidy? Also if Bruce Cassidy and Pierre McGuire touch, do they form a Bad Coach Voltron?

Nate Schmidt bobblehead of the afternoon

So I’m not actually sure, in hindsight, that this was a good game to win. Boston’s not at their best lately, but if Toronto wins tonight and tomorrow, the Caps will face the stronger Boston team in round one.

On the other hand, the Caps team we saw today looked excellent. I wouldn’t mind watching them for a couple extra months.

Have a good Saturday night. Let’s do it again tomorrow.

Full Coverage of Caps at Bruins

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