The Boston Bruins struggled against the Washington Capitals this decade. One way or another, this ends Monday night.
The Boston Bruins conclude a homestand Monday night when the Washington Capitals come to town. The Bruins hope to make up for three straight extra-time losses with two points against the Capitals.
This is the third and last time Boston and Washington meet this season. The Capitals won the first game in overtime and the second in regulation.
Those two wins continued Washington’s decade-long dominance over Boston. This mercifully ends tonight, as the two teams won’t faceoff until 2020.
Bruins only have 12 wins against Washington this decade
Since 2010, the Bruins and Capitals met a total of 42 times. In those games, Boston only has 12 wins. Only five of those wins came on home ice.
The Bruins and Capitals also met in the playoffs in 2012. Washington, even without home-ice advantage, won the series in seven games.
Washington averages almost a full goal more than Boston in their matchups. The Bruins have a tough time with Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals’ offense. The goaltending, however, makes the biggest difference.
Braden Holtby owns the Bruins
Washington goalie Braden Holtby is the biggest thorn in the side of the Bruins. He made his NHL debut in the 2010-2011 season, and this marks the beginning of Washington’s decade-long run against Boston.
Holtby owns a career 18-3-0 record versus the Bruins. In those games, he has a .944 SV% and a 1.82 GAA. Holtby also has four shutouts.
Boston’s struggles with Holtby really originated in the 2012 playoffs. Although the Bruins were favorites to win the series, a 22-year-old Holtby pretty much emerged out of nowhere to stop the defending champions.
What do the Bruins have to do on Monday to defeat Washington?
If history tells us anything, it’s that the Bruins face a tough task Monday night against the Capitals. They need to play a mistake-free game to take home the two points.
One thing the Bruins definitely must do is stay out of the penalty box, especially with Zdeno Chara set to miss this game. Like we saw in the last meeting in Washington, the Capitals have a ton of talent on the top power play unit.
The Bruins also need great goaltending from Tuukka Rask, who likely gets the nod since Jaroslav Halak played last game. Rask has yet to face the Capitals this year, so maybe his presence can be a welcoming change for Boston.
No matter what happens Monday night, it’s safe to say the Bruins are happy to play Washington for the last time this decade.