Moving On: Bruins In Washington To Take On The Capitals

April 16, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes a save in front of Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) as Capitals defenseman Mike Green (52) defends during the first period of game three of the 2012 Eastern Conference quarterfinals at Verizon Center. The Bruins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Well, now we know why coaches and players generally don’t like to open up to the media or the publice. Because once they finally do they get crucified nationally by the same media who says they’re uncooperative and also by fans who enjoy taking things out of context.

However, what’s done is done and I’ve moved on from the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien‘s “hypocritical” comments. I wrote my piece and said what I had to say so I will no longer be talking about embellishment or diving, I’m over it. If fans and writers wish to keep talking about it, go ahead but I won’t anymore.

I’ll let Habs forward Max Pacioretty think Julien is jealous of him, cause I mean, a Stanley Cup champion and Jack Adams award winner is real jealous of Pacioretty’s Canadiens and their 2-point lead in the Eastern Conference with 3 games in hand on the Bruins. But, like I said, we’re moving on.

[ LINK: Canadiens fire back at Julien’s comments ] 

With that said, the Bruins (14-3-2) are in the District of Columbia on Tuesday night to take on the Washington Capitals (8-11-1) and hopefully put the Canadiens where they belong, in the rearview.

Washington is playing better of late and have now won 6 of their last 9 games. The Capitals are also returning home after a convincing 3-0 shutout win over the Winnipeg Jets in Winnipeg.

It will be the first time the two teams have met since the Capitals ousted the Bruins in the first round of last year’s playoffs. It should be noted the series went 7 games with every game being decided by 1 goal and 4 of the games went into overtime. It was a tight series and I would expect this game to be just as highly contested.

Braden Holtby will get the start in net for Washington and it will be his 10th consecutive start. In his previous 9 starts, Holtby is 6-3-0 with three shutouts, a 2.11 goals against average and a .934 save percentage. He’s playing well and has shown in the past he can handle the Bruins offensive attack, as witnessed by his performance in last year’s playoff series.

The Bruins on the other hand are coming off a very disappointing loss to the aforementioned Canadiens who actually snapped the B’s 6-game winning streak. They’ll be looking to start another streak tonight while shoring up their defensive game that has been uncharacteristically sloppy recently.

Tuukka Rask was the first goalie off the ice for the Bruins after this morning’s skate around, so it would appear as though  he’ll get the start tonight. Rask is 11-2-2 on the season with a .928 save % and 1.97 GAA. Like the rest of the team, he’s looking to bounce back after Sunday night’s loss where he allowed 2 goals on 4 shots in the 3rd period.

Puck drops at 7PM EST and the game will be aired regionally around New England on NESN.