Boston Bruins Vs. Washington Capitals, NHL Playoffs 2012: Complete Series Coverage

Capitals Vs. Bruins, Game 7: Braden Holtby Steals Show As Washington Moves On

Capitals rookie goalie Braden Holtby was the difference between a first-round exit and a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals for his club.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Capitals Vs. Bruins Game 6: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

After trailing 2-1, Washington is on the verge of exorcising playoff demons by upsetting the Bruins.

NHL Playoff Schedule 2012: Flyers, Capitals, Kings Look To Advance

The Flyers, Capitals, and Kings will look to close out series upsets on Sunday.

ANIMATED: Distraught Bruins Fan Is Distraught

NHL Playoffs 2012, Bruins Vs. Capitals Game 5: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

22-year old goalkeeper Braden Holtby has the Capitals tied with the defending Stanley Cup Champions - can the Bruins figure out how to beat him in Game 5?

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.

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

Karl Alzner Says He Didn't Call Milan Lucic A Crybaby

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.

Washington Capitals Not Happy With Nicklas Backstrom Suspension

Nicklas Backstrom Suspension Upheld Following League Review

Nicklas Backstrom and the Washington Capitals were hoping his automatic one-game suspension would be rescinded after review by the NHL's Department of Player Safety. They're not so lucky. Arguably Washington's most dangerous forward, Backstrom will miss a pivotal Game 4 between the Caps and the Boston Bruins on Thursday evening.

Brendan Shanahan called Backstrom's cross-check to the face of Rich Peverley "excessive and reckless," and he emphasized that while Peverley had just tripped Alex Ovechkin and had his stick raised towards Backstrom's face, it was Backstrom who approached Peverley, noting that the Bruin was in a defensive stance.

Losing Backstrom is huge for the Capitals. He's been their best forward since returning from a concussion late in the season, and his offensive impact has been seen in this series against the Bruins. There's no doubt that losing Backstrom makes the Caps an easier team to handle offensively, and Boston will welcome his absence, even if it's just for a single game.

Nicklas Backstrom Suspended For Game 4; Could Be Overturned By League

Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom will sit out Game 4 as a result of an automatic suspension due to a match penalty received at the end of Game 3. The suspension is up for NHL review on Tuesday afternoon, and it's possible they overturn it.

Capitals Vs. Bruins, Game 3: Playing Boston's Style A Losing Formula For Washington

The emotion between the Bruins and Caps found its way into Game 3, but while Boston fed off of it, Washington lost control of it and ended up costing themselves.

The NHL Playoffs Make No Sense

The Bruins and Capitals went down to the wire in Game 3 Monday, but Boston prevailed in the final minute to take a 2-1 series lead. It happened because those things just happen sometimes.

Capitals Vs. Bruins, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 3: Zdeno Chara's Late Goal Gives Boston 2-1 Series Lead

In the end, the Washington Capitals just couldn't hold off the Boston Bruins. Brian Rolston gave Boston a 3-2 lead a minute into the third period, and Nicklas Backstrom fed Brooks Laich with a beautiful pass that led to an even prettier goal 13 minutes later, but it was Zdeno Chara's goal with less than two minutes left in regulation that led the visiting Bruins to a 4-3 victory over Washington.

The shot deflected off the stick of Capitals defenseman Roman Hamrlik and beat goaltender Braden Holtby up high on the glove side. It was probably an unjust fate for Holtby, but nevertheless, Boston holds a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4 on Thursday night at Verizon Center.

Will that contest feature a bit of the physical play? Game 3 got a bit chippy down the stretch, with Milan Lucic, Karl Alzner, Backstrom and Brad Marchand just a few of the participants, but the officials did a decent job of keeping emotions in check. You have to imagine that a physical game suits Boston more than it does Washington, but the Caps have been in lockstep with the B's all series long. This series is far from over.

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.

ANIMATED: Alex Ovechkin Shrugs Off Dennis Seidenberg (Again)

PHOTO: Washington Capitals Fans Welcome Tim Thomas To D.C.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Capitals Vs. Bruins Game 3: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

Washington and Boston head to DC tied at 1-1. The Capitals' Braden Holtby has been a spark so far.

Capitals Vs. Bruins: Boston Still In Control Despite Game 2 Setback

Washington has tied the series, but with more offensive pressure and the continued play of Tim Thomas, Boston can still remain in control.

Capitals Vs. Bruins, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 2: Nicklas Backstrom Evens Series With Double OT Goal

The Washington Capitals are heading home with an edge in their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series with the Boston Bruins. Nicklas Backstrom scored the game-winning goal 2:56 into the second overtime period to give the Capitals a 2-1 victory. The win ties the series at 1-1 and gives Washington the home-ice advantage as things shift back to Verizon Center for Game 3 and 4.

Backstrom actually lost the face-off, but Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk was unable to clear the loose puck. Marcus Johansson then picked it up below the blue line and threw it through two Bruins and back out to Backstrom, who was all alone in prime shooting position. The shot beat Tim Thomas on the stick side, sealing up the victory.

For complete Boston Bruins coverage, check out SB Nation Boston and Bruins blog Stanley Cup of Chowder. For complete Washington Capitals coverage, swing by SB Nation DC and Caps blog Japers' Rink.

Capitals Vs. Bruins, NHL Playoffs Game 2: Defense The Theme Entering Double OT

Goaltending and defense were yet again the theme in the fourth period of Game 2 between the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals. In fact, that's been the theme all series long as the teams have combined for just three goals in a little over 140 minutes of playoff hockey.

You would expect this from the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas is literally the reason the team won the Stanley Cup a year ago, and the goaltender has a tendency to stand on his head in big spots. Plus, their top defensive pairing of Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg is among the best in the NHL.

But the Washington Capitals? Braden Holtby is a third-string goaltender that's sticking right with the two-time Vezina Trophy winner in Thomas. Their defense is admirable, but nowhere near the collective strength of many teams in the NHL. Yet even players like Alex Semin are stepping in and making solid defensive efforts as the desperation of the playoff season takes over. We're headed to double overtime in Game 2 with the score tied, 1-1.

For complete Boston Bruins coverage, check out SB Nation Boston and Bruins blog Stanley Cup of Chowder. For complete Washington Capitals coverage, swing by SB Nation DC and Caps blog Japers' Rink.

GIF: Don't Step Near Tim Thomas' Crease

NHL Playoffs 2012, Bruins Vs. Capitals Game 2: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

The defending Stanley Cup Champion Bruins will hope to have an easier time in Saturday's Game 2 than they did in their 1-0 overtime victory over Washington.

David Krejci Misses Practice, Expects To Play After Being Hit By Pane Of Glass

David Krejci did not join his Boston Bruins teammates for practice Friday, one day after being struck in the head by a falling pane of TD Garden glass.

Capitals Vs. Bruins, Game 1: Dale Hunter Needs To Make Defensive Adjustments

Braden Holtby had himself a nice game despite losing, and his performance was helped by some stand up defense from the original pairing of Karl Alzner and John Carlson. Could this be Washington's best chance to defend against Boston?

Bruins Vs. Capitals, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 1: Chris Kelly's Overtime Winner Gives Boston 1-0 Series Lead

It didn't take the Boston Bruins long. Just 1:18 into overtime in a scoreless contest, Chris Kelly's blistering slap shot found its way over the shoulder of Braden Holtby, giving the home team a 1-0 Game 1 win and a 1-0 series lead while eliminating any fear they may have had that this one could have slipped away.

Holtby deserved a better fate. The Capitals goaltender, only in goal thanks to injuries above him on the depth chart, was phenomenal all game long for his club. The Bruins dominated the first two periods, and the only reason this game wasn't a blow out much earlier was Holtby. It's an unfortunate loss for him.

For the Capitals on the whole, however, it's probably a just result. Boston stomped all over them for the better part of two periods, and even though it seemed as though the teams switched jerseys in the third period, the Bruins ended the game with 62 shot attempts: 30 shots on goal, 10 missed shots and 22 which were blocked. That's a winning formula, regardless of how it gets done.

For complete Boston Bruins coverage, check out SB Nation Boston and Bruins blog Stanley Cup of Chowder. For complete Washington Capitals coverage, swing by SB Nation DC and Caps blog Japers' Rink.

Bruins Vs. Capitals, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 1: Braden Holtby Keeping Washington In Game; 0-0 After 2 Periods

There's no score after two periods of Game 1 between the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins, and there's one reason for that. His name is Braden Holtby. The Caps' netminder -- their third-string goalie, by the way -- has made 26 saves to stave off the Bruins' seemingly relentless attack.

Boston has seen four power plays in the game through two periods but hasn't been able to capitalize thanks to Holtby and the Washington defense, which has blocked 17 shots in front of their goaltender. The Caps haven't been able to turn the momentum around in the opposite direction after those big PK's, however, generating just two shots in the second period to add to their awful two-period total of seven.

The Bruins are known to wear teams down late. They won a Stanley Cup doing that last year, and regardless of whether or not Holtby can keep up his fine play, the Capitals are going to have to generate some offense if they want to have a chance to win Game 1.

For complete Boston Bruins coverage, check out SB Nation Boston and Bruins blog Stanley Cup of Chowder. For complete Washington Capitals coverage, swing by SB Nation DC and Caps blog Japers' Rink.

ANIMATED: Alex Ovechkin Ruined Dennis Seidenberg's Day

NHL Playoffs 2012, Bruins Vs. Capitals Game 1: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

The Washington Capitals won the regular season series against the Boston Bruins, but injuries to their top two goalies could submarine their hopes for a playoff upset.

Nathan Horton Injury: Bruins Forward Done For Playoffs With Concussion

Boston Bruins forward Nathan Horton will miss the 2012 NHL Playoffs due to the concussion he suffered against the Philadelphia Flyers in January.

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2012, Bruins Vs. Capitals Preview: Defending Champs Can't Overlook Washington

The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals will face off in the postseason for only the third time ever. For such a ceremonious event, here is the breakdown of what you need to know about this series.

NHL Playoffs 2012: Boston Bruins Have Repeat On The Mind

Repeating is never easy, but the Boston Bruins have as good a shot as any team in the 2012 NHL playoffs.

NHL Playoffs 2012: Washington Capitals Hope Regular Season Misfortune Turns In April

The Washington Capitals didn't exactly have a strong regular season, but they're a playoff team, and after years of regular season success met postseason misfortune, maybe this is the year a deep run is in order.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Boston Bruins Vs. Washington Capitals: Game Schedule, TV Coverage And More

The Boston Bruins begin their title defense in these 2012 NHL playoffs on Thursday night at TD Garden. They'll try to get by the Washington Capitals in the seven-game Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series.