The match-up between the Capitals and the Bruins is an interesting one. While one team is defending their national title, the other is trying to prove that they even belong in the playoffs this year. The perennial Southeast Division leading Caps struggled to get the seventh seed and in the first round they faced the 2011 Stanley Cup winners. Though from that perspective it seemed Boston would make easy work of the Caps; so far it’s been a draw. Well, at least until last night.
Boston Center Chris Kelly helped the Bruins win Game 1 in dramatic fashion when he scored the night’s only goal 1:18 into overtime. After the loss, the Caps were determined to save their season in Game 2 – which they did in an even more dramatic way – with a game winning shot by Nicklas Backstrom in double overtime. The momentum seemed to shift to the Caps at the perfect time, as they prepared to head back to D.C. to host the Bruins on Monday night.
While the Caps controlled most of the play during Game 3, they also had the most penalties, totaling 26 minutes compared to Boston’s 14. In fact, the game may have ended differently if Backstrom wasn’t sitting in the penalty box (for cross-checking) when Zdeno Chara scored the game winning goal for Boston with just 1:53 left in the third period.
Earlier in the game, things looked to favor the Caps with Alexander Semin scoring the first goal of the game. Alex Ovechkin scored one of his own, mere seconds after Boston was able to tie it up 1-1. Brooks Laichs was then able to tie the game at three apiece after the Caps had fallen behind in the final period. But, plagued by penalties and with Backstrom sitting in the box, they were unable to hold off the Bruins and fell to them 4-3. The loss gave Boston a 2-1 lead in the series and left the Caps defeated in their own arena.
Both teams will now have a few days to rest before the quarterfinal series resumes on Thursday. The break will allow for the players to regroup and refocus, something the Caps sorely need. After a devastating loss in Game 3, the Caps were served another blow: Backstrom earned a match penalty for cross-checking Rich Peverley. This carries an automatic one-game suspension pending an official review by NHL’s Department of Player Safety. It seems unlikely Backstrom will play in Game 4, and his absence will be greatly felt, especially if the Caps lose.
Things aren’t looking good for Washington right now, but if there’s one thing their fans learned the last few weeks of the season, it’s that they rise to the occasion when everything’s on the line.
Nationals
When the Montreal Expos came to the District back in 2005, they were hoping to turn things around for their franchise. They became the Washington Nationals, resurrecting baseball in our nation’s capital for the first time since 1960, when the Senators left to become the Minnesota Twins.
Since then, they’ve built a new stadium, acquired a high priced first baseman from Philly and drafted a No. 1 pick who has the possibility of being the greatest pitcher of his generation. But one thing has remained the same, their spot at the bottom of the National League East.
That is, until this year. For the first time since their move, they are expected to finish above .500 and perhaps even contend for a playoff spot. Not only that, but 11 games into the season and they are perched atop the NL East with an 8-3 record.
It may have taken seven years, but the Nats are finally beginning to see their moves pay off. With a healthy Stephen Strasburg and young talents such as Ryan Zimmerman and rookie Stephen Lombardozzi (who saved Strasburg’s start last night with a two-out, two-run double in the sixth inning), the Nationals are becoming a serious contender. Let’s not forget they also have their hired gun from Philadelphia, who after a rough 2011 is now batting .350 with five RBIs.
It’s easy to get excited, but the truth is there is a lot of baseball left to play. The past 11 games have been a welcomed surprise from the Nats; let’s hope they keep it up.
