The Bruins push their win streak to four games behind another stellar performance by Tim Thomas and offensive contributions from throughout the lineup.
The Bruins complete the sweep of last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winner, and all four of these wins have come against clubs that finished with over 100 points last season.
Next up is another home date against the Rangers on Saturday night.
Third Period, 19:44, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins add the exclamation point with another power-play goal.
This one comes from Zdeno Chara, from Boychuk and Wheeler.
Third Period, 19:34, Bruins 3-1: The 6-on-4 didn’t work, so the Caps tried seven men on the ice. Only problem with that is it is against the rules.
Bench minor for too many men, as the B’s now go on the power play.
Third Period, 19:11, Bruins 3-1: The Bruins survive that scare, even with Washington pulling the goalie for a 6-on-4 advantage.
Krejci sacrificed the body with a big block to help that kill.
Third Period, 17:11, Bruins 3-1: The final minutes just got a lot more interesting, as Bergeron is called for tripping in the neutral zone.
Huge kill for the Bruins here, and once again they’re without one of their top penalty killers with Bergeron in the box.
Washington, by the way, just switched goalies, with Michal Neuvirth now in the cage.
Third Period, 16:17, Bruins 3-1: First sign of any rough stuff, as Andrew Ference takes exception to Brooks Laich crashing the crease on Thomas.
Ference wrestles with him and tries to get free, but the linesmen jump in immediately to prevent any blows from being exchanged. No penalties called on the play. No harm, no foul apparently.
Third Period, 14:03, Bruins 3-1: Nice battle there by Greg Campbell, who lost the puck to Marcus Johansson, but followed him to the opposite corner and eventually won it back.
Marchand was also back on the ice for taht shift and appears fine after limping off earlier in the period.
Third Period, 12:34, Bruins 3-1: The Bruins are sitting back a little too much this period. This lead isn’t that comfortable.
Washington is peppering Thomas with shots, as the shot count now reads 37-31 in favor of the Caps.
Third Period, 9:27, Bruins 3-1: The Caps finally find a way to beat Thomas, and it’s by letting Thomas giftwrap a goal for them.
Thomas tries an ill-advise clear up the middle that goes right onto the stick of Jason Chimera, who quickly fires it into the empty net. Officially it’s an unassisted tally, but Thomas could have earned a helper on that one.
There goes the shutout, but Thomas will have to bear down and shake that one off because the Caps are capable of turning this game around in a hurry.
Third Period, 7:54, Bruins 3-0: Thomas is definitely in the Caps’ heads, as he comes up with another point-blank stop on Nicklas Backstrom.
The frustration from Washington’s offensive stars is evident as they can’t figure out a way to get anything past Thomas’ unorthodox style.
Third Period, 5:44, Bruins 3-0: The Bruins get a chance as they have Washington’s fourth line caught out on a long shift after an icing call.
Bergeron nearly converts in front, but the Caps are able to clear the puck and relieve the pressure.
Third Period, 4:00, Bruins 3-0: The Bruins survive another test, but it might have come at a cost as Brad Marchand hobbled off the ice and was helped to the locker room with an apparant leg injury.
Jordan Caron actually has the best chance with a short-handed breakaway that nearly made it 4-0.
Third Period, 2:00, Bruins 3-0: The Bruins will have a big test here, as Patrice Bergeron goes off for hooking.
The Bruins can’t let Washington get back into this one with a quick power-play go, but they’ll have to kill this one without one of their best PKers as Bergeron is in the box.
Third Period, 0:00, Bruins 3-0: And the final period is under way, with the Bruins looking to close this one out in style.
The announced crowd is a sellout gathering of 17,565. Great atmosphere in the building for this one, and the Bruins have given the fans plenty to cheer about in this one.
Second Intermission Notes: The Bruins had to wait a couple long weeks into the season before playing their first hom game, but so far it’s definitely been worth the wait for the Garden faithful.
Tim Thomas continues to amaze in net, as he’s now up to 26 saves. That means he has allowed just two goals on 123 shots this season.
The offense has delivered as well, with the power play finally showing up with two strikes on three chances, while the PK has killed off both Washington opportunities with the man-advantage.
The Bruins are getting it done in the physical department as well. They held just an 8-7 edge in hits after the fist period, but now lead 25-16. Jordan Caron, Michael Ryder and Brad Marchand are the only Bruins who haven’t been credited with a hit, but with Caron and Ryder providing the first two goals of the night we can let that slide. Lucic leads the way with four hits. He and Horton each had a pair of shots in the second as well after that top line failed to put a shot on goal in the first.
There’s still a long way to go, especially with Washington’s offense capable of striking so quickly. And Bruins fans know better than anyone that a 3-0 lead is no guarantee of success, but if they can play the third the way they did the first 40 minutes the Bruins should be in good shape.
End Second Period, Bruins 3-0: The Bruins couldn’t have asked for a better start to their home schedule, as they head into the final frame with a three-goal lead.
The shots are even at 26-26, but everything else is tilted heavily to the Bruins favor, as they scoredon two of their 18 shots in the middle period to break this one open.
Second Period, 19:10, Bruins 3-0: Things could start turning nasty soon.
Caps heavyweight D.J. King just took a couple of healthy runs at Bruins looking to stir up something to spark his team. The Bruins didn’t have any of their tough guys on the ice to counter it, but King did land a big hit on Ference.
Second Period, 17:12, Bruins 3-0: The Bruins might just start want to start Thomas in every game this year.
Thomas continues to shine in this one, turning aside several more testing bids. He’s now up to 25 saves on the night, as the shot count is even at 25-25.
Second Period, 14:55, Bruins 3-0: The Bruins can’t convert that power-play chance.
It’s the first time in three chances they’ve failed to score on the man-advantage in this one after coming into the game 1 for 15 on the power play.
Second Period, 12:55, Bruins 3-0: The Caps called timeout after the Bruins’ third goal, but it didn’t seem to have much of a positive effect.
The Bruins go back on the power play again with Eric Fehr called for interference.
Second Period, 12:16, Bruins 3-0: The Bruins cash in again, as Nathan Horton makes it 3-0 with a power-play strike.
With the power play winding down, Horton skates from the left wing toward the slot and unleashes a blast that trickles through Varlamov’s pads. Recchi and Lucic pick up the assists.
Second Period, 10:29, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins go back on the power play with Semin off for hooking.
Second Period, 9:35, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins kill off that penalty to maintain their two-goal advantage.
Hunwick nearly sets up a goal pressuring Varlamov after coming out of the box.
Second Period, 7:35, Bruins 2-0: Matt Hunwick’s adventurous night continues as he gets sent off for hooking.
That follows another incredible save by Thomas on Laich at the left post.
Second Period, 6:11, Bruins 2-0: A little bit of everything from Matt Hunwick on the last few shifts.
On the plus side, he picked up the secondary assist on Caron’s goal. The minus was the giveaway that led to an Ovechkin scoring chance.
That was one of the few Caps’ chances this period, as the Bruins continue to pour shots on Varlamov, including back-to-back point blasts by Chara and Boychuk.
Second Period, 4:40, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins’ fourth line draws a rousing ovation after a great shift pinning the Caps in their own zone.
Several solid scoring chances from that unit as the Bruins continue to dominate play this period.
Second Period, 2:22, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins double the lead, as Bergeron collects his second assist and Jordan Caron scores in his regular-season Garden debut.
Bergeron sent the pass out from behind the net and Caron perfectly picked the top near coner over Varlamov’s glove hand.
The Bruins are all over the Caps to start the second, outshooting them 6-0 so far.
Second Period, 0:30, Bruins 1-0: The second period is under way, with the Bruins again starting with the fourth line on the ice.
Quick note on Boston’s goal: Not only did it end the Bruins’ power-play drought, but it was also the first power-play goal Washington has allowed this year. The Caps were 25 for 25 on the PK coming into the night.
First Intermission Notes: The Bruins weathered Washington’s early charge as Tim Thomas came through with another big period.
The B’s then finally cashed in on the power play with their first goal on the man-advantage since the season opener in Prague as Michael Ryder delivered a huge goal in the final minute.
The Bruins are being outshot 13-8, with just four Boston players recording shots. Bergeron leads with three, Ryder and Shawn Thornton each have two and Greg Campbell has one. That’s three shots from the fourth line and the top line of Krejci, Horton and Lucic have yet to put a shot on goal. They only attempted two shots, with Krejci having one blocked and Lucic missing the net. Maybe Julien needs to get that line away from Ovechkin to let it concentrate on producing some offense instead of worrying about shutting down the Capitals’ top threat.
The Bruins also don’t have a shot on net from their defense. The blueliners need to start getting shots through to put pressure on Varlamov. Boston is in good shape after getting out of the first with a 1-0 lead, but there’s still room for improvement.
End First Period, Bruins 1-0: And the Bruins take the momentum – and a 1-0 lead – into the locker room after one period.
Huge power-play strike by Ryder, who continues to impress in the early going this season.
First Period, 19:32, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins finally deliver on the power play, with Michael Ryder coming through with a huge goal in the final minute of the first.
Bergeron set him up with a pass down from the high slot to Ryder at the left post. Seguin also picks up a helper on the play.
First Period, 18:06, 0-0: The Bruins get their first power-play chance with Matt Hendricks off for tripping.
The Bruins need to get their power play going, as they are just 1 for 15 on the season.
First Period, 16:57, 0-0: Big kill for the Bruins, who keep the game scoreless as Ference exits the box.
The Caps had plenty of pressure, but the Bruins also had a golden chance short-handed when Krejci sent Wheeler in alone, but his bid was denied.
First Period, 14:57, 0-0: The first penalty of the game goes to the Bruins, but Andrew Ference got his money’s worth.
Ference plastered Jason Chimera into the boards in the corner of the Bruins zone, but the hit draws a two-minute penalty for boarding. Chimera is shaken up but skates off on his power.
First Period, 12:42, 0-0: Thomas does it again, stoning Ovechkin on a turnaround bid from the slot.
It’s a bit of a shooting gallery on Thomas so far, with the Caps holding a 10-4 edge in shots. But Thomas has been up to the task to this point.
First Period, 10:50, 0-0: Thomas shows that hip must really be feeling good, as he makes one of his patented sprawling saves to rob Alexander Semin.
Rask will need to get some work soon, but it’s easy to see why Julien would want to keep riding the hot hand in Thomas.
First Period, 10:34, 0-0: The Bruins arestarting to push back after the Caps carried the play early.
Much better effort these last few shifts. Seguin used his speed to have a chance from the slot but fired wide, while Bergeron put a good shot on Varlamov from the right circle.
First Period, 7:30, 0-0: With the last change at home,Claude Julien is making sure to get his top defense pair of Zdeno Chara and Johnny Boychuk out aganst Ovechkin every time the Russian star steps on the ice.
The Bruins also seem to be going with Krejci’s line against that unit, rather than Bergeron’s line.
First Period, 4:34, 0-0: Alex Ovechkin puts himself into the net as he drives to the crease, but the puck remains out.
Washington is taking it to the Bruins early though. Much better jump from the Caps so far in this one.
First Period, 2:26, 0-0: The Caps threaten again early with a 2-on-1 chance.
Brooks Laich takes the shot from the left wing, but Thomas is sharp again with the stop.
First Period, 1:00, 0-0: Action is under way at the Garden, and the Bruins have already had their first scare.
Thomas nearly got caught out of the net against Washington’s top line, but the Bruins were able to clear the puck.
7:05 p.m.: The Bruins are introducing the entire team here before the home opener.
Particularly big cheers go up for Milan Lucic, Nathan Horton, Tyler Seguin, Shawn Thornton, Mark Recchi, Tim Thomas, Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Tuukka Rask and David Krejci.
But the biggest ovation by far was reserved for injured center Marc Savard, who made a surprise appearance in a suit on the Bruins bench.
Interesting that even the scratches skated out in full uniform for their introductions.
6:55 p.m.:The official lineups are in, and Tim Thomas will indeed get his fourth straight start.
The Bruins will also go with the fourth line of Brad Marchand, Greg Campbell and Shawn Thornton up front and Mark Stuart and Dennis Seidenberg on defense.
Boston’s scratches are again Daniel Paille, Brian McGrattan and Adam McQuaid.
Washington is starting Semyon Varlamov in net as expected, with Jason Chimera, Tomas Fleischmann and Eric Fehr up front and John Erskine and John Carlson on defense. The Capitals’ scratches are Matt Bradley, Boyd Gordon and Mike Green, who are all out injured.
6:30 p.m.: So much for Tuukka Rask’s comments after the morning skate about getting back into action in this one, as Tim Thomas leads the Bruins onto the ice for warm-ups.
That’s usually the sign of who will be starting. Of course, the first goalie off at the morning skate is also usually the starter that night, and that was Rask this morning.
So we’ll have to see for sure who will be in net as the Bruins seem to be enjoying a little gamesmanship with the Caps, and the media.
Not that Thomas would be a bad choice. He shut down the Caps on Tuesday and has won three straight starts, allowing just two goals on 97 shots.
6 p.m.: Just an hour to go before the face-off here at the Garden.
The Bruins are preparing to face the Capitals in the back end of a home-and-home series, but they also got a chance to catch up with a familiar face.
It’s been six years since Mike Knuble last played for the Bruins, but he still remembers his time in Boston fondly, as he blossomed as a scorer in his four seasons in Black and Gold.
4:15 p.m.: There’s just a few more hours before regular-season action finally starts at the Garden this year.
Here are a few things to tide you over until the game starts.
Check out some of the Bruins’ thoughts on the long-awaited home opener, in which they’re more concerned with winning their fourth straight game than trying “to put on a show” for the home fans.
And for a more in-depth breakdown of this matchup, head on over to the Facing Off piece.
12:30 p.m.: The Bruins and Caps have completed their morning skates, and the long wait for Boston’s home opener has finally hit the home stretch.
The Bruins will give Tuukka Rask the start in goal, his first action since the season opener in Prague back on Oct. 9. He didn’t get much support from the rest of the team in that game as he allowed four goals on 36 shots, but Rask has been impressed with the team’s improved defensive play in front of Tim Thomas in the last three games.
“I’ve seen a lot of good things,” said Rask. “I think [the defense is] playing really good as a unit. They don’t give up much. Guys are blocking shots and playing really good defense, so from the bench it’s been looking real good.”
Other than the goalie switch, there aren’t any lineup changes expected for the Bruins in this one. The Capitals are also expected to dress the same lineup, though Semyon Varlamov is expected to get the start in goal after coming on in relief of Michal Neuvirth on Tuesday. A complete rundown of the projected lineups can be found here.
Prior to the Bruins’ skate, injured center Marc Savard continued skating on his own with a brief session on the Garden ice. Savard was not available to the media during the locker room access period after the team skate, but is scheduled to appear on the pre-game show Thursday at 6:30 p.m. on NESN to discuss the progress of his recovery from post-concussion syndrome symptoms.
8 a.m.: The Bruins will finally have their long-awaited home opener on Thursday, as they take to the Garden ice for the first time in the regular season against Washington.
It’s a rematch of Tuesday’s clash, when the Bruins won their third straight game and ended the Capitals’ four-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory in Washington. The Caps will be out to avenge that setback, and after things heated up with plenty of hits and a pair of scraps on Tuesday, this one promises to be an entertaining affair.
Thanks largely to Tim Thomas’ continuing strong start to the season and some yeoman’s work by captain Zdeno Chara, the Bruins held Washington star Alex Ovechkin without a point for the first time this season. Ovechkin will be tough to contain for a second straight game, and the Bruins have plenty of other threats to worry about as well with the likes of Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Brooks Laich and Mike Knuble.
The puck drops at 7 p.m. at the Garden, so check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action.
