Bruins Notes: Alex Ovechkin Continues Success Vs. Boston In Capitals Win

BOSTON — Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin probably would like to play most of his games against the Bruins.

The three-time Hart Trophy winner had scored 14 goals with 20 assists in 33 career games against Boston entering Saturday night’s game at TD Garden, and he added two more tallies to his total in a dominant 4-0 win for the Caps.

Ovechkin’s first goal came on the power play from the same spot in the left faceoff circle where most of his goals on the man advantage are scored, with many of those coming on one-timer shots.

The Russian forward now has five power-play points (3 goals, 2 assists) in his last six games against the Bruins.

“We knew they have a good power play,” Bruins center Patrice Bergeron said. “Ovechkin is a guy that wants the puck, and we should have been aware of that, and it was the same thing, we didn’t execute the game plan that was asked, and you can’t win when you do that.”

Ovechkin was able to skate his way into a scoring position later in the first period and used his quick release to beat goaltender Tuukka Rask before the Bruins could defend him.

It was a defensive breakdown that allowed Washington to double its lead.

“He’s definitely, he’s got that quick shot, that quick release that is hard to defend, but at the same time we’ve got to execute the game plan like I said, and on that particular play we didn’t do that,” Bergeron said.

“He’s definitely a good player. He’s got good speed. They’re a good line, and we’ve got to make sure we’re aware when he’s on the ice because he’s got that speed to hurt you.”

Ovechkin started the 2013-14 campaign strong with 10 goals in 10 games, which helped him finish the season with a league-leading 51 tallies for his fourth career Maurice Richard Trophy. We could be seeing the start of a similar goal-scoring display early in 2014-15.

“He’s playing good offensively as you saw tonight, he’s shooting pucks, he’s scoring goals, but I’m really happy with him,” Capitals head coach Barry Trotz said.

“The other part of his game is really good. He’s committed on the walls, he’s committed defensively, he’s just skating. He’s actually really fun to watch now again which is exciting for me but it’s really got to be exciting for him because he’s one of the best players on the planet.”

— The Bruins went 81 straight regular-season games without being shut out before Saturday night. That game was Oct. 10, 2013 against the Colorado Avalanche, who the B’s play Monday afternoon at the Garden.

— Boston gave up two goals on the penalty kill Saturday, bringing its season total to three. The team’s power play has been even worse, converting on just one of its first 10 opportunities.

“We were not good enough,” Chara said of the team’s short-handed struggles. “We know the plays they like and again we were slow responding to those plays. We were not on top of our game as far as penalty killing and that’s what happens when you’re facing such a good power play as they have. Again, we have to be better.”

— The Bruins had 12 giveaways and six takeaways. Puck management has to be better.

— A look at the Bruins’ Corsi numbers:

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— Loui Eriksson and Carl Soderberg dominated puck possession against the Capitals:

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