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Boston Bruins: 3 Keys Against the Capitals

By Scott Roche

Feb 1, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo (25) scores the go ahead goal on Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) in the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo (25) scores the go ahead goal on Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) in the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 1, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) shoots the puck on Boston Bruins goaltender Jaroslav Halak (41) in the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) shoots the puck on Boston Bruins goaltender Jaroslav Halak (41) in the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Believe it or not, the Boston Bruins are going to play a home tonight inside the TD Garden. Having only one game in their home arena in February (a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 18) because of opponents’ coronavirus protocols, the Bruins will welcome a familiar face to the ice.

Former captain Zdeno Chara and his first-place Washington Capitals teammates make their season debut in Boston. As we all know, in December, Chara left in free agency and agreed to a contract with the Caps. For the first time in 14 years, Big Z will take the TD Garden ice as an opponent.

If the Bruins are going to ruin the return to Boston for Chara, these three keys will go a long way into helping them tie the Caps in the East Division standings.

1. Bruins need a strong first-period start.

Boston has lost two of their three games on their recent New York road trip and what it each of the two losses have in common? Slow starts.

Against the New York Islanders, the Bruins trailed 2-1 after the first period, did come back to tie the game in the second period before surrendering five third period goals. The following night against the New York Rangers, the Bruins were badly outplayed, out-hustled, and were outscored in the opening 20 minutes on their way to a 6-2 defeat.

Usually, when a team comes home after a long road trip (and that includes Feb. 22 game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Lake Tahoe, Nevada), the first game back doesn’t generally end up going well.

Against the Capitals, Boston could use a solid start in the opening 20 minutes and set the tone for the final 40 to be in a position to be able to win the game. Good starts can go a long way to a good ending.

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