Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Preview: Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals

The Defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins will open their title defense against the Washington Capitals. In a regular year, this matchup would excite many, but this year, the Capitals were lucky to just make the playoffs.  

#2 Boston Bruins vs. #7 Washington Capitals

Game 1: At Boston April 12 7:30PM EDT-NBCSN

Game 2: At Boston April 14 3:00PM EDT-NBC

Game 3: At Washington April 16 7:30PM EDT-NBCSN

Game 4: At Washington April 19th 7:30PM EDT-NBCSN

*Game 5: At Boston April 21 3:00PM EDT-NBC

*Game 6: At Washington TBD

*Game 7: At Boston TBD

Here are the facts: The Bruins enter the postseason looking to defend their championship and the Capitals should be happy they were invited to the dance, as it looked they weren't worthy for most of the season.  The Bruins won their last two games and posted a 7-2-1 and one record in their final ten regular season games.  The Washington Capitals won their last two as del and posted a 6-2-2 record of their final ten games.

The Capitals won the season series 3-1.

Forwards

The Bruins were led in scoring by second year center Tyler Seguin (29G 38A), and the rest of the Bruins forwards are rugged and can also provide a supporting cast. Patrice Bergeron (22G 42A), David Krejci (23G 39A), Milan Lucic (26G 35A), Brad Marchand (28G 27A), and Chris Kelly (20G 19A) are all twenty goal scorers. What this proves is that the Bruins have the scoring depth to make another deep run, and in fact were second behind the Penguins in goals scored. The B's forwards are also very gritty.

The Capitals are led in scoring by Alex Ovechkin (38G 27A), who has written himself out of the "best player in the world" conversation. The Caps only have two players who have reached the twenty goal mark: Alexander Semin (21G 33A) and Jason Chimera (20G 19A).  Nicklas Backstrom (14G 30A) has missed just under half the season with a concussion, but will be back in the lineup for the Caps.

Edge: Bruins. They have the depth, and the grit to make another impact on this postseason. 

Defenders

The Bruins are led by their captain Zdeno Chara (12G 40A) on the blue line, but his is surrounded by a compliment of defenders that can isolate Tim Thomas. Denis Seidenberg will likely be on the top paring with Chara and they both could push nearly thirty minutes a night for the B's.  Andy Ferrence and Johnny Boychuck are a solid second pair, and Adam McQuaid and Greg Zanon will likely fill out the bottom pairing.

The Capitals are a mess on defense, both structurally and personal-wise. Mike Green was hurt most of the year and was of very little factor. John Carlson seemed to underachieve all year. Karl Alzner has been their most consistent defender, and the Capitals may have to rely on big minutes from him to shut down the Bruins' scorers.

Edge: Boston. You cannot go against a defensive core that has hoisted the cup and allowed the second most goals in the Eastern Conference (202).

Goalies

Tim Thomas (35-19-1, 2.36GAA, .920 SV%) will be between the pipes for the Bruins. In Washington it looks like Braden Holtby (4-2-1, 2.49 GAA, .922 SV%) will get the start for the Capitals. 

Edge: Bruins. Unless Holtby goes on a tear, which is unlikely given his 7 appearances, the Caps can't hold a candle to Thomas.

Special Teams

Boston is ranked 15th (17.2%) in the league on the power play and 11th (83.5%) on the penalty kill. Washington is ranked 18th (16.7%) on the power play and 21st (81.6%) on the penalty kill.

POFA's Pick

Boston in 5. The Caps needed help and a strong finish to get in, but they really didn't earn a spot. The Bruins will outclass them in every area and this will be the shortest series of the first round.