Bruins vs Capitals 4/18/21: Looking for redemption

Today, the Boston Bruins have a matinee matchup with the Washington Capitals. The last time these two teams met the B’s were extremely shorthanded on defense, missing four of their normal six blueliners.

Additionally, the Black and Gold were without goaltenders Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak, leaving rookie Dan Vladar to start behind this depleted defense. The B’s predictably were blown out by the Caps as they lost 8-1.

However, this loss might have been the best thing to happen to this team as within the following hours general manager Don Sweeney pulled the triggers on two trades to bring in defenseman Mike Reilly from the Ottawa Senators, and left wing Taylor Hall and center Curtis Lazar from the Buffalo Sabres. Since then, the Black and Gold have won three straight games, the first time they have done so since the beginning of February.

Today, in their seventh matchup of the season with the Caps, Boston will be looking for redemption as well as continuing their win streak, extending it to four games. While the Caps had a big advantage in their previous meeting, the B’s may have the advantage today as the Caps played yesterday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Boston Bruins vs Washington Capitals projected lineups.

Boston Bruins
Record: 24-12-6 (54 points)

Yesterday, head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed that Tuukka Rask will be in net for today’s game. While Rask is the starter, it’s still surprising that he gets the start over rookie Jeremy Swayman who just recorded his first career NHL shutout.

Cassidy also confirmed that defensemen Brandon Carlo, Matt Grzelcyk, and Kevan Miller will miss this game. In addition to these three, Jakub Zboril will also be out — he’s sick with an illness unrelated to COVID-19 so Jarred Tinordi will play.

Up front, Cassidy didn’t mention any changes. However, I think there is a chance Sean Kuraly comes out of the lineup and Trent Frederic goes in for him (if Frederic is healthy). Kuraly struggled a bit last game as he committed two unnecessary and bad penalties.

Expect the Bruins to look like this today:

Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
Hall – Krejci – Smith
Ritchie – Coyle – DeBrusk
Frederic/Kuraly – Lazar – Wagner

Lauzon – McAvoy
Reilly – Clifton
Tinordi – Kampfer

Rask (Swayman)

Washington Capitals
Record: 29-12-4 (62 points)

As I mentioned earlier, the Caps played yesterday. They won 6-3, so I don’t expect many, if any, lineup changes besides in goal. Ilya Samsonov was in net yesterday, so I expect Vitek Vanecek to be in goal today.

The Caps will also have another change in their lineup. Defenseman Zdeno Chara is a bit banged up from yesterday’s game so he will not play. Trevor van Riemsdyk will be in.

Expect the Capitals to look like this today:

Ovechkin – Kuznetsov – Wilson
Mantha – Backstrom – Oshie
Sheary – Eller – Sprong
Hagelin – Dowd – Hathaway

Orlov – Carlson
Dillon – Schultz
van Riemsdyk – Jensen

Vanecek (Samsonov)

Where and when to watch Boston Bruins vs Washington Capitals.

Time: 12 PM EST

Location: TD Garden

TV Broadcast: NBC, TVAS

Radio Broadcast: 98.5 The Sports Hub

As I mentioned earlier, the B’s will be going for their fourth straight win in this game. The Caps may have played yesterday but they’re still the first place team and deserve the Black and Gold’s best effort.