Boston Bruins: Top 3 ways to beat the Washington Capitals

What can the Boston Bruins do to finally overcome the hurdle that is the Washington Capitals?

Every superhero has his or her own weakness. For Superman, it’s kryptonite. For this Boston Bruins team, it’s the Washington Capitals.

Over the past decade or so, the Capitals owned the Bruins. Since 2010, Washington has a 28-12 record against the Boston. That’s a .700 win percentage! In those 40 games, the Capitals average 3.0 goals per game, while the Bruins only average 2.2.

This head-to-head record doesn’t include the 2012 first-round playoff matchup. The Capitals, although they were the underdog, won that series in seven games.

The Bruins will try to overcome their kryptonite Wednesday night in Washington. This is the second time Boston and Washington meet this year. The Capitals took the first game in Boston 3-2 in a shootout.

The Bruins are in the midst of a three-game losing streak (only two regulation losses), so they certainly need a strong showing in Washington. How can the Bruins finally beat the Capitals?

Get a lot of shots on Washington goalie Braden Holtby

The biggest reason for Washington’s dominance over us is Braden Holtby. The Capital’s top netminder always saves his best for the Boston Bruins.

Believe it or not, Holtby is 17-3 in 20 games against Boston. He sports a .944 save percentage and a 1.81 goals-against average in these games.

Holtby actually didn’t match these numbers in his earlier start this year in Boston. He let in two goals on 23 shots; not bad, but not up to his lofty standards against the Bruins.

The problem, however, was that the Bruins only managed 23 shots on Holtby. If they want to beat Holtby and the Capitals on Wednesday, Boston needs to hit at least 30 shots on goal.

Stay out of the penalty box against the Capitals

The Capitals always have a great power play, and this year is no different. Currently, Washington’s power play operates at a 23.7% success rate. That’s well above the league average.

To nobody’s surprise, Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals with eight power play goals. He lines up in that same spot game after game, year after year, and no defenders can stop him.

John Carlson is another Capital who does damage on the power play. He has two goals and 11 power play assists for Washington. What he does for the Capitals with the man advantage is pretty much the same thing Torey Krug does for the Boston Bruins.

What’s the best way to stop Washington’s power play studs? Don’t let them get opportunities on the power play in the first place. If the Bruins stay out of the box, they’ll have a much better chance at a victory.

Score the first goal in Washington

Unless the game ends scoreless and we’re in overtime, the first goal doesn’t end the game. However, that first goal, no matter when it happens, will likely decide Wednesday’s game against the Capitals.

Washington is a stellar 14-1-3 when scoring first. That record includes no regulation losses on home ice.

The Boston Bruins meanwhile are 13-3-3 when they score the first goal. Five of those wins occurred on the road.

Those records when scoring first show that once the Capitals or Bruins get a lead, the opponent almost never comes back.

The Bruins are definitely a resilient team this year; they are a remarkable 7-2-3 when the opponent scores first. That said, the Capitals are no regular opponent. Boston needs to score first on Wednesday night.

To escape Washington with two points will require a superhero-like effort from the Bruins. Fortunately, Boston has a few heroes on the roster who can put in the work to get the job done.