Capitals Vs. Bruins, Game 4: Braden Holtby's 44 Saves Help Washington Tie Series, 2-2

Capitals Vs. Bruins, Game 4: Veteran Presence Gives Washington Boost

Coincidence or not, the Caps' veteran presence in the lineup gave them a boost to tie the series with the Bruins, 2-2, heading back to Boston.

GIF: Alex Ovechkin Falls Over Boards

Capitals Vs. Bruins, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 4: Braden Holtby Helps Washington To 2-1 Win

Braden Holtby's 45 saves were the key to the Washington Capitals' 2-1 Game 4 victory at Verizon Center on Thursday night. With the win, the Caps tied their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series with the Boston Bruins at two games apiece heading into Sunday's Game 5 at Boston's TD Garden.

The Bruins controlled possession for all but a 10-or-so minute stretch in the second period, and the shot totals definitely reflected that. Boston outshot Washington 45-21 in the game, including a 14-3 tally in the first period and a 13-3 mark in the third.

Special teams were also big. The Capitals did a phenomenal job not taking penalties, especially considering how much time they spent pinned in their own zone with the Bruins on the attack. Boston only had one opportunity on the man advantage and they failed to convert -- a theme that continued from the first three games in the series.

The B's won the Stanley Cup with an awful power play last season, but an 0-for power play in this first round series has been their Achilles heel. The Caps scored the game winning goal on the power play late in the second period.

Stick with SBNation.com for full Capitals vs. Bruins series coverage. For more on the Bruins, visit Stanley Cup of Chowder and SB Nation Boston. For updates on the Capitals, check out Japers' Rink and SB Nation DC.

VIDEO: Capitals Vs. Bruins Clock Malfunction Adds Vital Seconds To End Of Game 4

Marcus Johansson Demonstrates Capitals' New-Found Commitment To Defense

Capitals Vs. Bruins, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 4: Alex Semin's Laser Gives Washington 2-1 Lead

Through two periods of play, the Washington Capitals still have to feel lucky to have the lead in Game 4 against the Boston Bruins, but after taking over toward the latter half of the second, that's where they stand. Alex Semin ripped an absolute laser of a shot past Tim Thomas late in the period to give Washington a 2-1 lead while Boston's Patrice Bergeron sat in the penalty box for a hooking infraction.

Zdeno Chara gave Semin just a bit too much room, but with that kind of shot from Semin, it probably wouldn't have made much of a difference. Semin is pretty good at this game.

Boston outshot Washington just 18 to 15 in the second period, but their lead for the game is still unreal, with the Bruins up 32-18 in total shots on goal. Braden Holtby has been incredible for the Caps, and their defense has come up huge yet again.

Stick with SBNation.com for full Capitals vs. Bruins series coverage. For more on the Bruins, visit Stanley Cup of Chowder and SB Nation Boston. For updates on the Capitals, check out Japers' Rink and SB Nation DC.

GIF: David Krejci's Face Almost Sliced By Skate

Capitals Vs. Bruins, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 4: Boston Controls First Period, But Score Tied 1-1

The Washington Capitals were lucky to get out of the first period with a tie score, and that's after scoring the first goal in Game 4 of their series with the Boston Bruins. Marcus Johansson scored just 1:22 into the game on a rush with Brooks Laich, but following the goal, Boston completely took over the flow of the game.

By the end of the first period, the Bruins had compiled a 14-3 lead in shots on goal, but Braden Holtby stood tall, only allowing a goal off a 2-on-1 rush at the 13:12 mark. It was a pretty weak goal as Rich Peverley entered the zone and opted to feather a shot past Holtby.

The Capitals' three-shot total was actually inflated by a late-period power play, so there's no doubt that they're going to need to control possession a whole lot more if they want to have a chance to take the lead in the game and ultimately the series in periods two and three.

Stick with SBNation.com for full Capitals vs. Bruins series coverage. For more on the Bruins, visit Stanley Cup of Chowder and SB Nation Boston. For updates on the Capitals, check out Japers' Rink and SB Nation DC.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Capitals Vs. Bruins Game 4: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

Chippy play in Game 3 led to accusations of intentional head shots by the Bruins from Capitals head coach Dale Hunter.