:caps: @ :bruins: Preview
CAPITALS (42-32-8) at BRUINS (49-29-4)
(Game 1 of Best-of-7 series)
TV: CBC, NBCSN, RDS2, CSN-MA (HD), NESN (HD)
Last 10: Washington 6-2-2; Boston 7-2-1.
Season Series: Washiington won three of the four meetings this season, including both visits to TD Garden.
Big Story: The Bruins begin their defense of the 2011 Stanley Cup championship, while the Capitals begin their quest to make everyone forget about a disappointing regular season.
Who's Hot:Alex Ovechkin had the lowest point total and second-worst goal total of his career, but he did score 10 times in the final 13 games of the regular season. … Brian Rolston had three goals and 15 points in 21 games for the Bruins after arriving in a trade from the Islanders. Patrice Bergeron had six points in his final four games of the regular season.
Injury Report: Holtby is expected to start Game 1 for the Capitals because Tomas Vokoun (groin) and Neuvirth (lower body) are not expected to be available. Neuvirth might be able to go later in this round; Vokoun's return is less certain. … The Bruins announced Wednesday that right wing Nathan Horton will not be available this postseason because of a concussion. Defenseman Adam McQuaid and backup goaltender Tuukka Rask are also both likely out for Game 1, though defenseman Johnny Boychuk is expected to play despite a knee injury.
Stat Pack: Boston's "second line" became the team's top line over the course of the season. Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin were third most-productive trio in the League at even strength this season, according to the Line Production tool at dobberhockey.com. They combined for 87 points while on the ice together, which trailed only Pittsburgh's trio of Evgeni Malkin, James Neal and Chris Kunitz (96 points) and Detroit's trio of Henrik Zetterberg, Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler (103 points).
Surprisingly, Ovechkin is not part of Washington's most productive trio -- Jason Chimera, Mathieu Perreault and Alexander Semin were on the ice together for 27 points at even strength.
Puck Drop : Neither of these teams was very consistent this season, but both were playing a little bit better down the stretch. Which team will be able to carry the momentum forward? The Bruins have started to look more like champs in the past month or so and are definitely the consensus favorite in this series.
"I think our approach each and every game; I think we took it seriously, we worked hard, we worked within our system within our strength, and that's how we are successful and that's how we need to play heading into the playoffs," Bergeron said.
Go
GO! :|
CAPITALS (42-32-8) at BRUINS (49-29-4)
(Game 1 of Best-of-7 series)
TV: CBC, NBCSN, RDS2, CSN-MA (HD), NESN (HD)
Last 10: Washington 6-2-2; Boston 7-2-1.
Season Series: Washiington won three of the four meetings this season, including both visits to TD Garden.
Big Story: The Bruins begin their defense of the 2011 Stanley Cup championship, while the Capitals begin their quest to make everyone forget about a disappointing regular season.
Who's Hot:Alex Ovechkin had the lowest point total and second-worst goal total of his career, but he did score 10 times in the final 13 games of the regular season. … Brian Rolston had three goals and 15 points in 21 games for the Bruins after arriving in a trade from the Islanders. Patrice Bergeron had six points in his final four games of the regular season.
Injury Report: Holtby is expected to start Game 1 for the Capitals because Tomas Vokoun (groin) and Neuvirth (lower body) are not expected to be available. Neuvirth might be able to go later in this round; Vokoun's return is less certain. … The Bruins announced Wednesday that right wing Nathan Horton will not be available this postseason because of a concussion. Defenseman Adam McQuaid and backup goaltender Tuukka Rask are also both likely out for Game 1, though defenseman Johnny Boychuk is expected to play despite a knee injury.
Stat Pack: Boston's "second line" became the team's top line over the course of the season. Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin were third most-productive trio in the League at even strength this season, according to the Line Production tool at dobberhockey.com. They combined for 87 points while on the ice together, which trailed only Pittsburgh's trio of Evgeni Malkin, James Neal and Chris Kunitz (96 points) and Detroit's trio of Henrik Zetterberg, Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler (103 points).
Surprisingly, Ovechkin is not part of Washington's most productive trio -- Jason Chimera, Mathieu Perreault and Alexander Semin were on the ice together for 27 points at even strength.
Puck Drop : Neither of these teams was very consistent this season, but both were playing a little bit better down the stretch. Which team will be able to carry the momentum forward? The Bruins have started to look more like champs in the past month or so and are definitely the consensus favorite in this series.
"I think our approach each and every game; I think we took it seriously, we worked hard, we worked within our system within our strength, and that's how we are successful and that's how we need to play heading into the playoffs," Bergeron said.
Go
