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Bruins vs. Capitals: Strength vs. Strength

By Scott Roche

Jan 30, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (55), Bruins left wing Nick Ritchie (21), Washington Capitals right wing Richard Panik (14), and Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (57) battle for the puck in the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (55), Bruins left wing Nick Ritchie (21), Washington Capitals right wing Richard Panik (14), and Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (57) battle for the puck in the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals face each other tonight at Capital One Arena at 7:15 p.m. in the NHL’s first playoff game of the 2021 postseason.

Nobody would be surprised if this game series went the full seven games to decide a winner, but one of the areas where this series could be decided is on special teams. One special team’s battle to watch is the Bruins penalty kill against the high-powered Capitals power play.

While the Boston power play has struggled, by their standards, this season and finished 10th, the Caps penalty kill is ranked fifth. But still, what could be the deciding factor could come when the Black and Gold are on the PK.

Bruins PK vs. Caps PP – Strength vs. Strength

Only the Vegas Golden Knights, who finished second in the West Division to the President Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche, had a better penalty-killing unit this season than the Bruins. Boston killed their penalties at 86%, compared to the Golden Knights at 86.8%.

Washington’s power play is third at 24.8%. In eight games this season, the Caps went 9-for-30 against the Bruins on the man advantage, with three of nine goals coming on April 11’s 8-1 Washington rout at the TD Garden.

The Bruins do have nine shorthanded goals in their 56 games, with Mr. Everything in 2021, Brad Marchand leading the way with four, including three in April alone. Captain Patrice Bergeron had three, while Charlie Coyle and Chris Wagner each had one.

Defensively, Jeremy Lauzon has been one of the Bruins’ top penalty killers and has been one of the top PK defensemen in the league.

Offensively, the Caps can send out a boat-load of talent, and sometimes it’s kind of frightening. You would think that Alex Ovechkin would be leading them in power play goals, but that’s not the case. He is second on the team with nine PPG’s, but the leading goal-scorer on the man advantage is T.J. Oshie with 13. Nicklas Backstrom has five and Tom Wilson, yes, that Tom Wilson, has four.

Bruins Round Table: Predictions for series vs Caps. light. Related Story

There’s no doubt that there are several different areas where the series could be decided, but when the Caps are on the power play, it will be fun to watch strength vs. strength, going against the Bruins penalty kill.

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