Capitals-Bruins game preview

            The Boston Bruins will play host to the twelfth place Washington Capitals Saturday afternoon at TD Garden. The meeting will be the final time the Bruins will see the Caps until the two sides come together April 27 for their regular season finale. These familiar foes squared off earlier in the month, in a game in which Washington got the better of Boston. Both the Caps and Bruins are coming off wins in their previous outings.

            The Bruins blew a three-goal lead in the third period of an overtime loss to Washington back on March 5. It was a loss that can be credited to the absence of a full sixty-minute effort. Boston cannot afford to ease up this time around. The Caps are well aware of what it takes to beat Boston. It entails playing a highly motivated, highly energized, tight checking brand of hockey.

            The Capitals pack an offensive punch and can score goals in a hurry when it wants too. Mike Ribiero, Alex Ovechkin, and Nicklas Backstrom lead their offense. This trio shoots the puck with great accuracy and really pushes the tempo when on the ice. Boston will look to counter them with Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg, a pair who has historically faired well against them.

            This looks to be a closely contested affair and the difference may ultimately come down to special teams play. The Caps power play is ranked second in the NHL. The Bruins penalty kill is ranked first in the NHL. In all likelihood, these two units will wash one another out. Boston must play a disciplined game though. The last thing the Bruins want is to be giving the Caps numerous chances with the man advantage.

            Playing a north south style on offense will be the Bruins best option Saturday. It is what they excel at and also what has been lacking of late. Doing so will require Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton to step it. If Boston can get behind the Washington defense and move the puck, the Caps can be exploited. The Capitals are the NHL’s twenty-eighth ranked penalty kill. It will be to Boston’s benefit to try and draw as many penalties as possible, especially since Braden Holtby has been a thorn in their side and a mystery that remains unsolved.

            The Capitals have drastically underachieved this year and the Bruins will certainly not want to provide them with any hope. The Bruins know they need to keep the foot on the gas until the final horn sounds. Their has been much skepticism surrounding the team simply because they have not shown the ability to regularly string three periods of hockey together over the recent weeks. Walking away with two points is extremely important for Boston with Pittsburgh coming to town Sunday.