The Bruins were handed their second loss in three games Sunday with a 4-2 defeat against the Capitals at Capital One Arena.
Boston fell to 45-22-5 with the loss, while Washington improved to 40-22-10.
You can check out the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAEKAWAY
The Bruins’ power play needs to figure things out before the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.
Boston went through a horrid 0-for-19 stretch earlier this season on the man-advantage and it’s creeping up on that for the second time this season. The Bruins went 0-for-4 on the power play in Sunday’s loss and did not amass a shot on net on their first opportunity in the first period. They now are 0-for-their-last-16 chances.
The B’s certainly miss David Pastrnak on that top unit but they have struggled at times even when he’s out there. There’s no real rhyme or reason why the power play is so dry at times, but when given these kinds of opportunities, the Bruins must find a way to cash in, especially when they have several opportunities to take control of the game.
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
— Erik Haula scored his sixth goal in the Bruins’ last eight games with the go-ahead tally in the second, just one minute apart from Curtis Lazar’s goal.
Haula has found new life in the second half of the season and has been someone the Bruins can rely on when he’s on the ice.
— Linus Ullmark continues to play strong between the pipes for Boston and is giving Jeremy Swayman some competition for the No. 1 goalie. If he can continue this play and Swayman can bust out of his rookie slump, the Bruins will have a very good problem heading into the playoffs with two healthy, capable goalies.
Ullmark made 27 saves on 30 shots and flashed the leather more than once to keep the Bruins in the game. He’s done everything asked of him to help his team win in his last few starts.
— Lars Eller had a two-point day for the Capitals that included the game-winning goal in the third period.
WAGER WATCH
The Capitals were the +150 underdogs heading into Sunday’s showdown, according to DraftKings. If you felt bold and took Lazar scoring at any point for +550, then you probably feel pretty good about yourself.
NEXT ON NESN
The Bruins return home Tuesday when they take on the St. Louis Blues. Puck drop from TD Garden is set for 7 p.m. ET.
