The Washington Capitals came with enough gusto and gumption to pull a hard nosed in your face win away from the Boston Bruins. Can they bring the same fight to Tampa Bay, here is how to find out.
The Capitals had a fight on their hands to get back into their recent winning ways. The Bruins came ready for a playoff atmosphere and that is exactly what they found.
The game started out with Zdeno Chara dropping the gloves to take on Tom Wilson after a cross check to his forearm.
This would prove to set the tone as each team would dole out hit after hit, with the Capitals leading the way by doubling up the Bruins with 40 to 20 hits.
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As for the scoring the Bruins would start it out on the stick of the top goal scorer of the NHL, David Pastrnak, who found the tightest pocket to put the puck off the cross bar.
This would close out the first period with the Bruins ahead, but in the second period the Capitals would answer well. TJ Oshie would answer as he would score twice to take charge of the game. Each team would tally one more score in the third period to finish out the game in regulation for a 3-2 score. The other Capitals to score was, surprise surprise, John Carlson who continued his torrid pace.
The Capitals would become the first team to record 50 points this year, by reaching 51 points. This would also improve the Caps record against the Atlantic Division, which now stands at 9-1. They look to improve that record next against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Lightning will be coming in after facing off with the Bruins as well. They would go onto to also defeat the Bruins 3-2. Overall the Lightning have been on and off throughout the year, they will win one and lose one maybe stringing together back to back of either. This means they sit in the middle of the pack in the Atlantic separated from the Bruins, who run the division, by only 11 points. They still have a chance to turn around their fortunes and appear to be hitting their stride lately.
During their last match up against each other, the Capitals needed overtime to defeat the Lightning. They had to come back as the Lightning held the lead 3-1 entering the 3rd period, on the stick of Vrana and Ovechkin they would tie the game.
In overtime Orlov would seal the win. This win would prove to be the second in a string of 6 in a row the Capitals would go onto during their recent win streak. Coincidentally, this could mark the second win in a new win streak.
This contest will most likely be a heavy affair on the Capitals side where they have delivered twice as many hits as their opposition recently.
If they go with Holtby in goal he will be looking to redeem himself a little, as he had a 0.900 SV% in their last match up with the Lightning. The Capitals could give him a rest and go with Samsonov in goal, who hasn’t taken the net since December 4th against the Kings.
The Capitals will need full effort from the entire lineup, and hopefully production will come from all areas. During the last game against the Bruins it appeared that Oshie was on another level compared to the rest of the squad. Who will step up and make a difference?
Here is how to find out:
Date: Dec. 14th
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Where: Amalie Arena
TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Network
Radio: WJFK 106.7 The Fan, Caps Radio 24/7
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