Game #6 Recap: Caps 1 Bruins 3

The Capitals played a strong game but could only manage 1 goal against Boston goalie Tim Thomas. The team put 36 shots on goal including 18 in the third period. The penalty kill was a bright spot once again as the Caps killed off all 4 Boston power plays including 53-seconds of a 5-on-3. The Caps have now killed off all 25 power plays they have faced this season. The Caps own power play was also 0 for 4 on the night and looked disorganized at best. It was a game of inches that didn't go the Capitals way. Alexander Semin's hit the crossbar late in the third and Brooks Laich stopped on the doorstep by a quick reaction save were two key plays that could have turned the game. The team looked much improved over Saturday's game in Nashville but, unfortunately, the result didn't show it.

Of Note:

• The Caps started well in the first period but two defensive breakdowns ended up in the back of the Capitals net. Starting goaltender Micheal Neuvirth left after 12:42 in the first period and was apparently suffering from the flu.Neuvirth stopped only 5 of the 7 shots he faced.
• Semyon Varlamov took over for Nuevirth and finished with 13 saves on 14 shots. His only goal against came in the third period on a screened point shot.
• Marcus Johansson scored his first ever NHL goal on a nice forechecking effort from Matt Hendricks and Jason Chimera. Johansson was the games #3 Star.
• Alex Ovechkin was bracketed by defenders all night but managed 5 shots on goal and dished out 6 hits.
• Alexander Semin put 10 shots on the net and was playing some nice aggressive hockey with 3 hits. Heck even Flash got in on the hitting with 3 hits including a good hit on Boston big man Zdeno Chara.
• The team was above 50% in the face-off dot for only the second time this season. They won 28 of 51 draws. Nicklas Backstrom led the way winning 12 and losing 8.
• The two teams play again on Thursday in Boston.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary