The Caps and Bruins faced each other just four times last season, but produced some of the more memorable games of the campaign. There was the 10-2 pounding the Caps handed the B’s, Donald Brashear‘s triple-minor meltdown, a goalie duel that the good guys won in a shootout, and what was likely the last game of Brian Pothier’s career (speaking of which, make sure to read Corey’s piece today). One only can guess what tonight has in story when the best team in the Eastern Conference comes to the VC.
The B’s have won five straight and 14 of their last 16, have the League’s best goalie by the numbers, and are scoring the most goals per game in the East while allowing the fewest in the entire League. They’ve been devastating at five aside and are in the top ten in both special teams categories.To top it all off (and this is easily the most predictive of the stats in this paragraph), the Caps have never beaten the Bruins on a Wednesday in December (0-2-0).
But the boys in red have more than a puncher’s chance given how well they play at home, and the simple fact that they have Alex Ovechkin and Boston doesn’t. Edge: Washington.
Just no Chris Rooney, please.
Elsewhere ‘Round the Rinks:
On this day in 2003, the Caps fired Bruce Cassidy and hired Glen Hanlon…. Cap of the Day: Randy Burridge…. How depleted is the Hershey blueline? Greg Amadio was their number one guy this weekend…. clap, clap, clap clap clap, clap clap clap clap, Bear Tracks!… Finally, Fark, for the win.