Capitals upset Bruins to begin second half playoff chase

The Boston Bruins came into Saturday afternoon’s game with the Washington Capitals having lost just one home game in regulation. But the Caps would hand the President’s Trophy front runners their second regulation loss on home ice with a final score of 2-1.

At 6:28 in the first period on the power play the Capitals struck first with a rebound goal from Nicklas Backstrom for his second of the season that was assisted by Marcus Johansson and Dmitry Orlov.

1-0 was the score after 20 with the Caps outshooting the Bruins 9-7.

At 11:40 in the second period the Caps doubled their lead with a snipe from Garnet Hathaway for his ninth goal of the season. The Bruins got one back at 16:34 from Nick Follgno. The Bruins outshot the Caps 11-4 in the second period while shots were even at 10 apiece in the third. The Caps were outshot 28-23 overall.

Darcy Kuemper got the win with 27 saves. It was a big start for the Caps as they look to maintain first place in the Wild Card and perhaps soon swoop into third place in the Metropolitan Division. The Caps allowed fewer than 30 shots in seven of their last 10 games.

Kuemper earned his 16th win of the season and has allowed one or fewer goals in nine of his 35 starts this season. The Caps now have a record of 11-4-0 in their last 15 games at TD Garden. They registered 37 hits against the Bruins which was tied for their sixth highest single game total in a game this season.

Hathaway was credited with the game winning goal which was his first of the season and 11th of his career. Last season he ranked tied for fourth on Washington with four game winning goals.

The Caps conclude their back to back with a Super Bowl Sunday matinee at Capital One Arena against the San Jose Sharks.