Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Boston comeback gets stonewalled by Vokoun and Caps

March 10, 2012, 5:45 PM ET [15 Comments]
Ty Anderson
Boston Bruins Blogger •Bruins Feature Columnist • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Just over eight and a half minutes into play, the Boston Bruins were an unmitigated disaster of a hockey club. Trailing 2-0, out-shot by the Washington Capitals 12 to 3 and an utter mess in their own end, Claude Julien opted to take his timeout in what was pure deja-vu from Sunday's loss in New York.

"Absolutely. We weren’t playing good so I would be too," Johnny Boychuk said when asked if the B's bench-boss was mad. "We knew it was coming so we just have to be better as players and as professionals."

And just like they did in New York, the Bruins battled back.

They escaped the period down by just one when Milan Lucic tallied his 23rd goal of the year, beating Tomas Vokoun with just 5.6 seconds left in the frame, and began the second like B's out of hell.

Knotting things up when an Alexander Ovechkin giveaway following a huge hit from Jordan Caron led to a set of bounces that gave Brad Marchand a breakaway and subsequent equalizing goal, the Bruins had everything going for them.

That was until they took their foot off the gas.

Letting the Caps regain their two-goal edge when Jay Beagle's second goal of the year got its insurance once Brooks Laich tipped home his 13th of the year, the Capitals went into a defensive shell for the third period.

Throwing just two shots on net in the third -- just one from inside center-ice -- the Capitals let the 35-year-old face 13 shots in the final 20 minutes, but only surrendered one goal thanks to Johnny Boychuk's late-period poke-in (his 5th of the season).

But the waning moments of the eventual Caps win wouldn't come without some fireworks.

While Marchand's bid for two would be denied on the doorstep, the Bruins would get yet another chance but it wouldn't go as Brian Rolston's struggles continued with a whiff on an empty-net. Hell, the B's even had another crack at a goal with just 5.6 seconds left, but just couldn't get it on net, putting an end to their two-game winning streak.

Call it the same ole' song, as it was yet another sleepy start to a matinee that doomed Boston against the Caps. "

It’s hard to put a finger on something," Patrice Bergeron said when asked about the B's struggles during day-games. "Obviously we came out flat and they got the lead you know, when we’re behind the eight ball early it’s always hard to get back in a game and be adapted and then again we gave up the lead again. We’re not going to win too many games if we’re battling back all game."

The loss gives the Bruins a 4-7-2 record in matinee affairs this season.

Ty's Take: Get in, and you're dangerous -- Caps can bounce anyone

Despite the injury-riddled B's losing by just one today, I couldn't help but be impressed with the play of Washington. If the Capitals can play like this every game -- a longshot, sure -- they shouldn't just make the playoffs, but be a serious threat to their opponent.

The Caps got key stops from Vokoun, who finished the night with 30 saves on 33 shots, and saw their oft-criticized defense answer Boston's third period onslaught.

"We’ve just got to approach the games, just focus on today," Washington alternate captain Brooks Laich said. "I think that we play five of our next six on the road but that was in nobody’s mind today; it was come here and try to get the job done. I’m happy with the guys, I thought we played a really good game, should be proud of themselves."

Keeping the B's power-play at bay, killing both of their opportunities, and finishing the night with 16 blocked shots, Laich's recipe for success is quite direct.

"We’ll get out of here, get back and then do it again tomorrow."

If they can do that again -- or for a week, maybe even two -- look the hell out. This team is dangerous.

By the numbers

4 - Game point-streak by Boston's Jordan Caron. The 21-year-old Caron has three goals and four assists over that stretch.

+3 - Plus/minus for Bergeron tonight, giving him a plus-33 for the year, tying him with Tyler Seguin for tops in the league.

6:52 - Time-on-ice logged by defensemen-turned-forward Mike Mottau on the night. The veteran skater filled in for Benoit Pouliot, a late-game scratch with a lower-body injury.

Up next

Quick turnaround for the Bruins, who will head to Pittsburgh for a 12:30PM game against the streaking Penguins. Winners of eight straight, the Penguins will be without the services of Sidney Crosby, who skated on their fifth line at practice. The Bruins are 1-1-0 against the Pens this season. To address the Pouliot injury/Mottau at forward madness, the B's have recalled Max Sauve from Providence for about the billionth time this week.
Join the Discussion: » 15 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Ty Anderson
» Bruins' leaders answer Montgomery's challenge
» B's issued reality check; Duran turns pro
» Bruins' mistakes doom them in loss to Rangers
» Bruins refuse to make it easy for themselves
» Bruins sign Notre Dame D-man; A Maroon setback?