Game One Recap And A Look Ahead To Game Two
For anyone who saw game one between the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals were surely entertained for 60 minutes and then some. With a combination of great physical play and an amazing effort from both goaltenders, the two teams put on a show for all who witnessed.
Despite being favored by many, the Bruins were in for a fight as soon as they took the ice. The Capitals knew that they came in with a chip on their shoulder as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. After fighting to get into the playoffs, the Capitals took the ice knowing that they needed to show everyone that they do indeed belong and they did just that. Despite being severely outplayed in almost every phase of the game, the Capitals hung in there, forcing the game into overtime. The Capitals star players, Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin didn’t exactly shine like they wanted to with Ovechkin and Semin both being limited to just one shot on goal each the entire game. With the lack of offense, you would think that the Caps would have no chance against the great players of the Bruins. However it was the great goal play of Braden Holtby that kept them in the game. Before the game no one other than Caps fans really knew who Braden Holtby was. After being drafted in the top of the fourth round in the 08 draft, Holtby spent most of his time in the AHL. However this isn’t the first time Holtby made some noise in the NHL. Holtby first showed the league his talents in 2010 as he went 10-2. Making his debut against the Bruins in 2010, Holtby was able to get the win. But that was then and this is now. It didn’t seem to matter though, Holtby played his heart out and showed everyone what he was really made of and he did it when it mattered the most, the playoffs. Holtby saved 29 shots and shutout the Bruins in regulation. Boston center, Chris Kelly, was the hero for Boston as he scored the game winning goal only 1 minute and 42 seconds into overtime. The Capitals might have suffered a tough defeat, however in the long run; they might have been the most victorious team as they possibly have just found their new goalie not just for right now but for the future and they showed the league that they can indeed hang with Boston. While the Caps might have found their goalie for their future, they are still in the playoffs in the present and if they repeat their play from two nights ago, they will have a hard time keeping up with the Bruins in game two.
Below is a link to Chris Kelly’s game winning goal.
Boston’s Chris Kelly with the game winning goal in overtime against the Washington Capitals.
Now it’s time for game two. With the series still being held in Boston, the Capitals are looking to even up the series. That task will be easier said than done though. With the passionate Bruins fans and the rough and tough Bruins team, Washington is going to have to up their game and play a different game than they did Thursday night. After being outshot 30-17 and outhit an astonishing 40-29, Washington is looking to not only take a better offensive approach but also play a more physical game. The Caps aren’t the only team that wants to play differently; the Bruins are looking for different play too. Not from themselves but from Braden Holtby. The Bruins are also hoping that goalie, Tim Thomas could stay hot, as he was dominate in the opening game as always as he recorded his 6th shutout in his career during the playoffs. Even though Thomas gave the offense an opportunity to pull away, the offense was just unable to find the back of the net. If the offense can get going and the defense keeps up their physical play, the Bruins should be able to pull out a victory in what should be an extremely important game two.
The Bruins are looking to take a commanding two game lead as the series will head to the nation’s capital Monday night. While the Bruins are looking for a two game lead, the Capitals are only hoping that they can get better play from their first line, which consist off Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Alexander Semin. With game one being a NHL classic, the two teams are looking to top that game as this has quickly became one of the most talked about games of the playoffs so far.
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