The Washington Capitals had their six game winning streak ended against the Blue Jackets of Columbus. Next they look to start a new one against a tough Boston Bruins team, here is how to follow and what to expect.
The Capitals had their streak ended at home, and on a night they were fully healthy for the first time in a few weeks.
The team seemed to come out flat in the first period as they gave up an early goal to Cam Atkinson.
Once the Caps got their feet under them they appeared to find the defense needed to hold off the attack of the hungry Blue Jackets team who had been winless in four straight.
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Alex Ovechkin put the Caps back in the game by tallying a goal from the dirty area right in front of the net to make it 2-1. This seemed to liven the team and get them back into the action, but Riley Nash answered about five minutes later with a goal off the back of Braden Holtby as a ricochet.
The Blue Jackets would another goal to make it 4-1 near the end of the third period. The Capitals would go with an empty net in the last few minutes, which paid off with a goal by Nicklas Backstrom in his first game back. But that would be the last score for the team, as Columbus went on to win on a final score of 5-2.
The next team up will be in a different position than the Capitals have dealt with lately. The Boston Bruins are one of the top teams in the league and currently lead the Atlantic Division with 46 points. The Bruins are also coming in on a losing streak as they have lost the last three games. This is despite the position the Bruins hold in many of the team statistical categories, they are currently the third best scoring team with 107 GF while being tied for the second best at goals against at 74 GA. The Bruins also rank third and fifth respectively for PP% and PK%, making them one of the most well rounded teams in the NHL.
The Capitals and Bruins have already met once this season with the Capitals going on to win 3-2 in a shootout where they were matched up against their old foe in Jaroslav Halak. It would come down to a fantastic goal during the shootout by Jakub Vrana.
To overcome the Bruins the Capitals will need to do their best to stay out of the penalty box, while solving one of hardest mysteries in the league in how to beat the pair of goalies in Rask and Halak. Rask is sporting a 0.927 SV% and 2.19 GAA, while Halak is good for 0.930 SV% and 2.22 GAA. In the midst of attempting to break through the wall the goalies will be giving the Capitals, they will need to keep their two superstars, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. in check. Marchand leads the team in points, 46, while Pastrnak is on a ridiculous run leading the league in goals with 25.
The Capitals will most likely be leaning on the hot hand of Braden Holtby, in spite of letting in a few soft goals last game he is the best match up against the Bruins.
Holtby holds one of the best records against the Bruins for his career, with a 17-3 record and 0.944 SV% and 1.81 GAA. With the first full squad game action Monday, the team will be more settled with the lines and flow. Look for better cohesion between Backstrom and his teammates. Hopefully the Capitals can begin a new winning streak while taking down one of the best teams.
Here is how to follow the action:
Date: Dec. 11th
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Where: Capital One Arena
TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Network
Radio: WJFK 106.7 The Fan, Caps Radio 24/7
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