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Which Eastern Conference Match-Up is the Washington Capitals Biggest Threat?

ByCJ Witt|
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 23: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) battles for a puck between Toronto Maple Leafs right wing William Nylander (29) and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Travis Dermott (23) during the second period in a game between the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs won 6-3. (Photo by Nick Turchiaro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 23: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) battles for a puck between Toronto Maple Leafs right wing William Nylander (29) and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Travis Dermott (23) during the second period in a game between the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs won 6-3. (Photo by Nick Turchiaro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 03: Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) makes a first period save on s shot by Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) on February 3, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 03: Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) makes a first period save on s shot by Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) on February 3, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Boston Bruins

The 2019 eastern conference champions. Also a team the Capitals have seemed to have a bit of ownage on. After going 2-1 against Boston last season the Caps are now 14-1 over the Bruins in their last fifteen games. If that isn’t domination I don’t know what is.

While the results may be dominating the stats don’t look as convincing. Here’s how the stats looked last season vs the Bruins.

Record 2-1-0

Corsi For% – 44.24%

Scoring Chance For% – 51.30%

High Danger Corsi For% – 51.22%

Shooting% – 9.84%

Save% – 97.53%

High Danger Save% – 100%

Power Play% – 36.4%

Penalty Kill% – 90%

Clearly some impressive stats in there, particularly the save percentages. Other than that it wasn’t that one-sided. The one thing that was one-sided was the shot attempts and that was in Boston’s favor.

Special teams were also huge in this series, as with most series and games. The Caps power play was excellent and the penalty kill was terrific. Penalty kill is even more impressive when you consider the Bruins finished the season with a top three power play.

Sometimes it’s bizarre why results go so one-sided for extended periods of time but this is one of those times. Washington will obviously hope these results last a little longer and in that case Boston might not be as big a threat out east either.

I think we should take a moment to appreciate that 100% high danger save percentage. There were 20 high danger attempts by Boston vs Washington last season and none resulted in goals. Incredible! 2 goals on 81 shots is another really impressive stat adding up to the 97.5 save percentage.

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