Bruins Take Advantage of Capitals’ Feeble Defense
By Duncan Day
Mar 29, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller (86) and defenseman Torey Krug (47) push back Washington Capitals right wing Eric Fehr (16) during the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Bruins Capitalize on Mistakes for Win
Great performances by Jarome Iginla, Patrice Bergeron, and Carl Soderberg marked the Boston Bruins‘ game earlier today at the Verizon Center, as the Bruins downed the Washington Capitals 4-2.
Soderberg buried a close-range opportunity and notched two assists, while Iginla snagged his 30th goal of the year, tallying two scores. Bergeron added the Bruins’ final goal in the third period.
The B’s completely overwhelmed Braden Holtby in the first 20 minutes, forcing him to save 15 shots, but they didn’t break through until the second period when Iginla broke free and directed a low flick past the Caps’ goaltender.
In the end, this game showed the Bruins’ exploiting an inadequate Capitals’ defense.
Iginla’s first goal was a obviously product of Washington’s laziness on the defensive side following their concluded power play.
The second goal arrived due to the Capitals’ questionable defensive positioning, pressing too high towards the blue line and allowing wide open lanes in front of the Holbty. Two quick passes later, the Bruins found themselves in a perfect location to score with Soderberg waiting on the crease ready to redirect Bergeron’s shot.
Iginla struck goal No. 2 racing down the ice during a 2-on-1 odd man rush with Milan Lucic. The former Calgary Flames‘ forward whipped the puck on frame and then immediately crashed the net, catching defenseman Patrick Wey flat-footed and sweeping past him for the doorstep finish.
The last score of the match arrived on a power play–another instance of the lackluster defending–as the Caps couldn’t keep themselves between their man and the net. Dougie Hamilton blasted a slap shot and Bergeron hustled towards a scrum in front of Holtby, beating Joel Ward to the iron for the final touch.
It was clear that Washington wasn’t one of the premier defensive teams in the league. They actually do maintain one of the worst goals against numbers (239) in the NHL.
The true test for the Bruins will come tomorrow, facing the Philadelphia Flyers as part of back-to-back weekend road competitions.